McLaughlin & Harvey (McL&H) has started work to build a new shopping centre in Loughton.

Demolition works are now underway on the site of the former council depot buildings in Loughton and the 40-week project is scheduled for completion in summer 2017.

Once finished, the Epping Forest Shopping Park will become home to a number of major retail names based over a 150,000 sq ft area, including on-site car parking for 350 cars as well as public transport links.

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Excavation works are also taking place on an adjoining site to the development where surface water storage tanks are to be installed.

McL&H's Construction Project Manager Alex McCalley said: "Nearly all the rubble will be recycled into the foundations of the new retail park. We are using better methods of pile driving, drilling our way down to the London clay rather than the old method of banging away with the pile-driver."

Speaking during a tour of the site, Cllr Anne Grigg added: "I was delighted to see the progress. McLaughlin & Harvey has made a cracking start. The site is clean and the demolition work is being carried out with meticulous attention to safety. Now the barriers between the old council depot and the adjoining site have been removed you start to get a real perspective on the size and scale of the shopping park. It will be a fantastic asset and a tremendous boost to the local economy."

(LM)