A NEW Marks & Spencer store and a Sainsbury’s supermarket could be making their way to Harwich.

Orion Land and Leisure has submitted blueprints for 38 new homes in Williamsburg Avenue, on land opposite Morrisons.

The Piccadilly-based development and investment firm has so far only submitted plans for homes on a 4.4-acre plot at the vacant Stanton Euro Park site.

The firm acquired the 4.4 acre “development” site in November last year.

John Gard, from Orion, said: “Harwich has been identified as a key area for development, investment and economic growth, and Orion is pleased to be able to contribute in the town’s regeneration efforts.

“This 38-home application is the start of what we hope will be a positive relationship with both Tendring Council and the local community.”

He added: “Orion has a proven track record in delivering urban regeneration projects and if the planning application is granted permission, the site will be brought forward for development.”

It is believed that future proposals for the site will include a new store.

The Standard has learned that both Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s are looking to build along the A120.

A well-placed source told the Standard: “These plans are very exciting. It is really good news for Harwich.

“People have always said that we need a Marks & Spencer in Harwich – it’s a little bit of a status symbol for us.

“If we do get a Marks & Spencer, it will feel as if we have made it.

“Harwich is on the way up and we are seeing that investors do have confidence in our area.”

Both Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s would not confirm their plans for the Harwich area.

A spokesman for Marks & Spencer said there were no “current” plans to open a store in the town and the supermarket giant would not confirm that it was looking to build in Harwich.

Sainsbury’s spokesman Angharad Lynch said: “I can confirm that while we are always looking for great locations for our stores, we are not developing a supermarket or a convenience store on the site in Williamsburg Avenue.”

The homes plan includes detached, semi-detached and terraced two and three-bedroom houses, as well 84 car parking spaces, paths, drives and landscaping.

Plans for homes on the site were previously approved in 2012, but the permission has since expired.

Tendring Council is expected to make a decision on the new plans by July 1.