New commercial outlets on Shoebury garrison could include a Lidl supermarket it has been revealed.

A proposed supermarket formed part of original plans for the sprawling garrison estate.

While an application is in for a new commercial area, a new supermarket site plan is set to be submitted to Southend Council.

Shoebury ward councillor Roger Hadley said: ““We are waiting for a planning application for a Lidl which will be submitted shortly and it seems some units on the commercial site have got people interested in taking them. There are concerns they may stand empty, but they have got tenants lined up.”

If Lidl goes ahead with the plan, it will mean competition to two other local supermarkets within a stone’s throw of the site.

Nisa has recently taken over the former Morrisons on Ness Road and Sainsburys local, currently the only store on the estate, is also nearby.

Harry Chandler, chairman of Shoebury Residents' Association, said: "It's good to have competition. I don't think the council would turn it down on those grounds.

"We will have to see what happens. At the moment it is unclear so it's hard to comment."

Lidl was approached for a comment.