A DISCOUNT supermarket has lodged plans for a massive store expansion which will create 50 jobs.

Aldi, in The Broadway, Wickford, plans to increase the shop floor from 980sq m to 1,254 sq m, making it the same size as about 12 tennis courts.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Gone? - the buildings which could be knocked down

Bosses also plan to add nine additional parking spaces.

The company has bought historic buildings at 2 to 12 The Broadway which will provide the additional space.

If agreed, the historic buildings will be demolished to allow for the extra space.

A planning statement lodged with Basildon Council reads: “The proposals will enable the opportunity to regenerate and visually enhance brownfield land, through the provision of a high-quality, modern food store, that will allow Aldi to retain their popular presence in Wickford town centre.

“As such, proposals [to] extend the existing store represent Aldi’s commitment to Wickford, and this should be given significant weight when considering the proposals.”

Residents are pleased with planned investment in the area.

Kelly Browne, 33, said: “I am pleased to see more jobs are coming to the town.

“I think it is good news for Wickford.

“I know Aldi is very popular in the area. I think this is only good news.

“I will also help draw more people to the area which can only be a good thing in my opinion.”

Roger Smith, 44, said: “I am an Aldi shopper and do regularly visit this store.

“I am not surprised that it is planning to expand.

“I would hope that the council will look favourably on these plans.

“I think it will do wonders for Wickford, we need larger shopping places.

“It is also very good news that it will create extra jobs and parking spaces for the store.

“This shows the store knows what we need here in Wickford.”

While many support the additional jobs and space the store would create there is opposition due to the buildings which would be lost if the expansion goes ahead.

Some residents including, Ian Ulting, are prepared to fight to save the buildings.

He said the white cottage is the oldest building in the town centre and dates back to 1827.

Historic documents by Basildon Borough History reveal one of the brick buildings was the old bank house.

It dates back to 1912 and it was the home to the town’s first bank.

It was owned by Barclay and Co, until 1947.