A £10MILLION shopping development is on the way for residents of Colchester if designs drawn up by the Co-op are approved.The Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society has submitted plans for the redevelopment of its Fiveways supermarket in Peartree Road into a modern and contemporary centre to serve the expanding local community.

A £10MILLION shopping development is on the way for residents of Colchester if designs drawn up by the Co-op are approved.

The Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society has submitted plans for the redevelopment of its Fiveways supermarket in Peartree Road into a modern and contemporary centre to serve the expanding local community.

The project will offer an increased range of shops alongside a brand new Co-op store, bringing an array of employment opportunities with it.

A society spokesman said the centre would provide the local community with a variety of quality shops on their doorstep. The redevelopment of the existing site provides space for four new retailers, a family restaurant and a new building for the Co-op Food Store. Trading from the existing food store will continue without a break thanks to phased construction work.

The new stores will serve an increasing number of local residents. About 250 new homes are under construction in the area and, as part of the regeneration, new footpaths and cycleways will be incorporated into the complex.

Chief executive Chris Blanchett said: “This development will revitalise the Peartree Road area and create an attractive, modern, energy efficient local shopping centre.

“In addition to rebuilding our own food store and completely re-presenting our furniture and electrical offers, the provision of new destination outlets will create new job opportunities.

“As one of Colchester's oldest and most successful locally-owned businesses we are delighted to once again be investing in this, our local community."

Outline planning permission was granted in 2003 for a mixed-use local centre. The Co-op has now been able to finalise the plans and allocate the budget for the redevelopment. If Colchester Borough Council approves the application, work could be under way before the end of this year.