PLANS for a budget clothes giant to take over a huge disused town centre shop space have been shelved, causing disappointment among residents.

Last month, the Echo revealed Primark launched plans to Southend Council to alter a loading bay behind the old BHS store in the high street- but officers recommended it for refusal.

The revelation came during Southend Council’s Development Control Committee meeting on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the authority said the application would not be on the agenda due to the withdrawal.

The Echo contacted Primark for comment, but a spokesperson said the firm “does not comment on store speculation.”

Under the old proposals, the current loading bay would have been levelled and replaced by a smaller loading bay, reducing its extension from the main building from 2.8 metres to 1.6 metres.

Part of the public footpath would also have been downsized, cueing officers to say: “The proposed development would create a vehicle access that would be likely to cause a reduction of highway safety, prejudice the free flow of traffic and result in the reduction of the quality of the pedestrian environment.”

The move has sparked speculation as to whether the firm will launch a fresh bid addressing those issues raised.

Ann Holland, Southend councillor responsible for culture, tourism, and economy, was disappointed about the news.

She said: “I was quite pleased when I heard that Primark were coming to this area of town.

“Let’s hope a new application will be forthcoming to bring some new life to that part of town.

“Woolworths went, BHS went, and all we have at that part of town, department store-wise, is Marks and Spencer and Debenhams.

“I’m a big fan of the quirky independent shops like those in Leigh, but it’s good to have a balance.”

The store, which occupies a prominent corner plot, has been empty since BHS went into administration last summer.

Since then, was used by squatters for three weeks until they moved on.