Plans for a new cinema, restaurant and supermarket on the edge of Clacton have suffered a potential set back.

Clacton-based developer Kevin Britton put forward a second version of proposals for the Clacton Gateway development, opposite the existing Brook Retail Park, to Tendring District Council (TDC) in May.

The development, if given the go-ahead, would also include a petrol station linked to the supermarket and a country park area.

A first application was refused by councillors as information was not provided as to the possible impact on town centre businesses, or a contribution to mitigate any possible effect. A date is yet to be set to debate the revised scheme.

However in a draft policy on employment sites put forward by TDC officers the land is explicitly not included for consideration in the district’s new Local Plan.

The plan sets out how development should shape up across Tendring over the next 17 years.

Officers state in the draft policy: “Whilst the assessment recognises this is a well located site and might be an attractive location for businesses, there is likely to be sufficient supply in other fringe industrial areas without the need to use this more isolated land.

“The Employment Land Review therefore recommends this site is retained in agricultural use.”

However Carlo Guglielmi, councillor for planning at TDC, said: “The application is pending consideration so I cannot say too much as I cannot interfere in individual planning decisions.

“However a policy which will be carried forward in the new local plan does allow for development to take place even if it is outside of the site allocation, provided it proves job creation and economic growth. It can still be supported.”

The employment policy is set to be debated by the local plan committee at a meeting on Tuesday October 21 at Clacton Town Hall.

A spokesman for Mr Britton said: “The Clacton Gateway scheme responds to current needs rather than Local Plan-led future growth.

“The site’s acceptability for our development has been agreed by the council.

“Their thorough assessment of the Clacton’s Gateway scheme found only one issue, possible impact on the town centre, but this has now been addressed by further funding of existing town centre initiatives to the value of £300,000.

“Clacton, and Tendring, needs the Gateway scheme now, rather than during the plan period extending to 2031. We are pleased that the merits of this are recognised by the council.”