SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has unveiled a massive project to regenerate the dilapidated former industrial area east of Welwyn Garden City train station.

Incorporating a supermarket, 344 homes, and a 25-metre public swimming pool, its £140 million scheme will convert the disused Shredded Wheat factory into an office complex, preserving both the production hall, designed by pioneering architect Louis de Soissons, and the landmark silo, which will house a ground floor cafe.

The project covers not only the former Shredded Wheat factory, but stretches south of the train station , including the largely derelict area between the railway line and Broadwater Road.

The company, which submitted its planning application last week, says it is confident of securing permission as its ambitions are in line with the borough council's guidelines, and an extensive two-year public consultation has prompted a 75 per cent positive response.

Corporate affairs manager Michael Kissman said: “We have done a massive consultation.

"The vast majority of people know the site and want to see it brought forward to redevelopment.

"This is a hugely important site which is crucial to the continued prosperity of the town centre. We share the council’s aim to breathe new life into this part of Welwyn Garden City through our proposed investment.

“We are fully committed to offering a financially viable scheme for Broadwater Road that complements the existing town centre, provides much-needed affordable housing on a brownfield site and new leisure facilities for the whole town to use."

Other features and benefits will include up to 1,800 new jobs, an improved passenger bridge over the railway, a doctors’ surgery, a heritage centre and open spaces for cafes and other leisure use.

There will also be a large new car park with free parking for three hours - not restricted to Tesco customers.

If the planning application progresses smoothly, construction will begin next year, and the project could be complete by autumn 2013.

In publicity material, the company quotes Janice Markee of Broadwater Crescent as saying: “This is an excellent idea and just what this part of town needs.

"We haven’t had a swimming pool in Welwyn Garden City for such a long time now and it is great that young people will have more to do in the town.

"This will create so many new jobs as well and I’m delighted to see plans to put this site back into use at last.”