CONTROVERSIAL new plans for a supermarket store have been submitted to Tendring Council.

Supermarket giant Tesco have sent in the proposals for a store in Station Road on the border of Lawford and Manningtree and bosses hope a decision will be reached by councillors early next year.

Company representatives said they have "listened" to complaints about the previous planning application during an intensive consultation period.

Michael Coultharde-Steer, of Stour Community First, said he hoped councillors who would be making the decision continued to listen to the public.

"Nothing has changed here," he said.

"We still think the traffic is going to be a major issue and that the store will take business away from the High Street.

"Everyone will need to look at the documents which accompany the plans because there is an awful lot of material in there that is often not explored.

"In the previous plans they said they expected to take trade away from the town and from the Co-op and they are the experts on this so I believe them."

Previously submitted plans were overwhelmingly rejected by Tendring Council in May.

In the latest blueprints Tesco has changed the size of the proposed store, arguing it would cause less traffic.

Louise Gosling, regional corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said: "We have listened to concerns about our earlier proposals for a larger store on the site.

"Since then we have held an intensive period of consultation with local people and businesses in Manningtree, Lawford and Mistley and we’ve made changes to our plans accordingly.

"We believe this unique new store would not only encourage shoppers to stay local but also to support existing shops and services in Manningtree.

"It’s almost 20per cent smaller than our original proposal which means it will generate less traffic.

"But it would still be big enough to allow people to do a full weekly shop here, rather than having to go to Colchester, Clacton or further afield.

"We are also committed to supporting Manningtree Town Centre, and will be discussing with Tendring Council, as well as local town and parish councils, how we can help to support a vibrant local economy."