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A major national retailer has signed up for the controversial retail development proposed for the former Project site in Haverhill.

This is before the developers have achieved planning permission for a scheme which planners have, until now, seen as being against St Edmundsbury Borough Council policies.

HPG Developments Ltd has agreed terms with Wickes, the leading supplier of home improvement products for trade and DIY, as its first tenant for Hamlet Green in Ehringshausen Way.

Wickes, which currently has 190 stores in the UK, would take 21,500 sq ft of new space at the mixed-use Hamlet Green subject to St Edmundsbury granting planning permission for the scheme.

Commenting on the signing, William Jewson, development director at Cambridge-based HPG Developments Ltd, said: “We’re delighted that Wickes has committed to new space at this important new development in Haverhill that, if approved, would complement, not compete with, the town centre’s offer and encourage more people to shop in Haverhill.

"Wickes’ offer is entirely consistent with the type of non-High Street retailers we are targeting and we are pleased that interest in the town is high.

“We are in detailed negotiations with a number of other well-known non-High Street brands not currently represented in Haverhill who have expressed a keen interest in having a presence at an appropriate site in the town.”

As recently announced, Hamlet Green would, if implemented, provide around 260 new jobs for local people at every level as well as securing further employment through the supply chain and during the construction phase.

The proposals for Hamlet Green include new warehousing and business start-up units to the rear of the site and a new builder’s merchant, a family restaurant and four bulky retail warehousing units towards the front of the site.

A planning application for the scheme is due to be considered by the council in the coming weeks.