THE Great Western Park development has been given a boost with the announcement a major supermarket will be setting up shop next year.

ASDA has said it will be opening an 11,000 sq ft store at the heart of the housing development in Didcot.

Developers have also confirmed there will be at least ten other retail spaces at the heart of the development.

It is not yet known how many jobs will be created but the announcement is being described as a big step forward for the Great Western Park.

Robert Beatson from Bidwells, the agents for the scheme, said: “The district centre is extremely well located in the development and will form the social and retailing hub for local residents and the wider Didcot population.

“Residents started moving to the development in 2011 and we know that the local community has been eagerly awaiting the launch of these new facilities.

“As well as the ASDA food store we will have 10 retail units for rent and these can be used for a variety of uses such as a pharmacy, vets, bakers, hairdressers, dry cleaners, estate agents, restaurants and cafes and hot-food take-aways.”

The retail units at the centre will be available from Summer 2017 by way of pre-lease.

Henry Davidson Developments (HDDL) Didcot Ltd - a subsidiary of U+I Plc - is developing the scheme.

Scott Davidson, managing director of HDDL said: “We are delighted to be delivering this exciting mixed-use development.

“Our high-quality scheme will provide shops, restaurants and a wide range of services to meet the needs of the growing population of Great Western Park and surrounds.”

The centre will serve the 3,300 homes at Great Western Park as well as the 2,550 homes at the adjacent Valley Park site.

Great Western Park is part of South Oxfordshire District Council’s core strategy, which has proposed where new homes will go over the next 16 years, including a total of almost 8,800 for Didcot.

But leader of Didcot Town Council, Bill Service, does not think the scheme will just benefit Great Western Park residents.

He said: “I think it is a very good thing that ASDA is the chosen supermarket for the District Centre.

“This does not only benefit the residents of Great Western Park but the residents of the whole town because it is important we have choice and competition for people when they shop

“With the M and S Food store coming to the Orchard Centre, the only supermarket we need is a Waitrose.”

Earlier this month a new phase of homes including two, three, four and five-bedroom houses and two-bedroom apartments in the development were put on the market starting from £235,000.

The 440-acre development lies on the western fringes of Didcot and the ten-year project will see a £60m investment in the area.

Other new facilities at Great western Park include a secondary school, a university technical college, a primary school, pub, community centre and a children’s day nursery.