Retail giant Next is set to double the size of its Braintree store, bringing more than 50 new jobs to a retail park.

Braintree Council’s planning committee has rubber stamped proposals to increase the size of the Braintree Shopping Park store by 1,457sqm - the equivalent of about five-and-a-half tennis courts.

Proposals also include a new cafe at mezzanine level, set to be a Costa Coffee, and a complete revamp of the retail park car park, creating an extra 70 spaces.

The move would create 58 full and part-time jobs, doubling the size of the workforce and creating one of the brand’s flagship “home with fashion” stores.

Speaking at a meeting of the planning committee, Lady Patricia Newton (Conservative, Coggeshall), said the current shopping park area was “tired and dated”.

“I think this application is very much to be welcomed and it is another good example of what happens with a willing applicant, but also with officers working in a very constructive way on the improvements to the design,” she said.

“I think the recognition this will be a focal point has led to the thinking behind the design and I welcome the way it looks.”

The revamped store will offer an expanded range of homeware products.

Kevin Bowers (Conservative, Silver End and Cressing) said: “I think the application is brilliant, anything which will sort the car park is fantastic and I love the look of the building.

“If this is part of a regeneration of the whole site it would be absolutely fantastic because I think the designs look great.”

Next did not respond to requests for comment but previously said it was pleased plans were moving forward.