A NEW shop is set for the Mayflower Retail Park, in Basildon.

Bosses at the retail centre, off the A127, have applied for planning permission to build a “standalone retail pod unit” in the car park outside the former Homebase building.

They are currently in negotiations with several companies who may be interested in opening up in the new building, but planning documents suggest a mobile phone retailer, retailers selling sandwiches and baked products, or a “food to go” operator such as Greggs or Subway.

However, bosses are suggesting a condition to prevent retailers that sell food, other than food-to-go outlets, opening there. Planning documents state that the retailer would be an “ancillary” to the retail park, and not a “main attraction”.

The new building will incorporate an ATM, but will mean the loss of four parking spaces in the 181-space car park outside Homebase.

A report, prepared by London-based Montagu Evans on behalf of Mayflower Retail Park, reads: “Due to the fact that the unit will occupy a prominent location at the entrance to the retail park and will be visible on all four sides, the pod will incorporate a quality design.”

As it is unclear what the new retailer will be selling, permission is being sought for restaurants and cafes, hot food takeaway and a retail shop.

Last month, the Echo revealed that the building previously occupied by Homebase on the retail park will be turned into three new units.

These will be occupied by furniture store Harveys, flooring and carpet shop Tapi and sofa shop Fabb Sofas.

Almost 50 jobs were lost when the DIY store Homebase closed in December at Mayflower Retail Park.

Homebase left as it was unable to renew its lease with owners British Land for undisclosed reasons.