New plans for the former Dukes nightclub site in Chelmsford have been unveiled.

Fitzpatrick New Homes has put forward proposals for a public piazza at the site, surrounded by 93 apartments, a medical centre, coffee shop and farmer’s market.

The piazza would connect Duke Street with Victoria Road, and feature a statue.

The late-night venue closed in January 2012, but the developer hopes to have a memory wall during construction where people can display their photos from the nightclub days.

Brian Fitzpatrick, managing director of the development firm, said: “We are keen to create new and vibrant communities in Chelmsford, not just build housing. As with everything we build, our aim is to improve the street scene and give something back to the areas we develop.

“We have the opportunity in Duke Street to create something really special. We have decided to build an interactive scheme whereby the site is not closed off and isolated from Duke Street, but instead opened up to the public for wider use.

“We hope it will become the new place to meet with friends or pick up some groceries from the farmer’s market. It will make Duke Street a real destination and not just a thoroughfare to the station.

“This will be an exciting development for Chelmsford and will invigorate the area, as well as bring employment.”