A consultation has started on plans for a new retail development on a former National Grid site.

Consolidated Property Group (CPG) will be submitting an outline planning application to St Albans District Council to build a new retail development, including food outlets, a gym and retail units, on the former National Grid site in Griffiths Way and Graham Close, St Albans.

Vehicle access will be taken from Graham Close, with a total of 290 car parking spaces, including 13 disabled and 10 parent and child spaces, provided to serve the development. Disabled spaces will be located closest to the store entrances and there will be racks for 40 cycles.

Dan Bramwell, speaking on behalf of CPG, said: "Delivery of a viable mixed use redevelopment scheme at this site, including food and non food retail floorspace, will deliver as many as 200 much needed new jobs and in total a multi-million pound investment.

"It will also regenerate and redevelop a highly accessible, visually prominent site which presently detracts from the character and appearance of the area and has significant levels of contamination."

The site is a former gas works and storage facility that has been out of use for several years with the tanks being removed in 2014.

It is anticipated the planning application will be submitted in the next few weeks and, subject to planning permission being granted, building will commence onsite in summer next year with first occupancy following approximately a year later.