Tesco has revealed a ‘master plan’ for the old Toby Jug site in Tolworth, including shops and community use areas.

The chain withdrew plans for a supermarket on the site earlier this year, and now hopes to build about 700 homes.

Planners will hold public meetings next month to allow residents to air their views.

Jon Collins, from architects Collado Collins, said: “We are developing proposals for a master plan that will create a sustainable and attractive place to live that will complement the existing neighbourhood.

“This will include a mixture of houses and apartments with a small number of shops, cafes and community uses arranged around two public spaces.”

Liberal Democrat Tolworth and Hook Rise councillor Vicki Harris said: “That is probably larger than a small village so you might need some shops.

“But on the other hand, the broadway is only five minutes away. Tesco is going to do what it wants to do. It needs to make money out of that site.”

Conservative parliamentary candidate James Berry said: “Any plan to develop significant housing on the Toby Jug site must include plans for a school and a community asset, such as a leisure centre, either on site or nearby. Tesco must look at the whole picture.”

A spokesman for Tesco’s planning consultants Spenhill said: “The former Government offices in Tolworth is one of the largest sites available for development in Kingston.

“As it is so well located next to a train station and close to Tolworth Broadway, it can and should make a vital contribution to meeting the royal borough’s growing housing need.”

Consultation meetings will be held on Wednesday, October 1, from 10am to 2pm, and on Thursday, October 2, from 3pm to 8pm, at the Tolworth Living Shop in Tolworth Broadway.

Visit formergovernment officestolworth.co.uk for more information.