The first-ever food store on a large housing estate will be opening its doors this autumn.

Building work on the Co-op, off Fieldfare Way on Queen’s Hill, Costessey, is progressing well.

Norwich Evening News: An artist's image of the Co-op store on Fieldfare Way on Queen's Hill estate in Costessey.An artist's image of the Co-op store on Fieldfare Way on Queen's Hill estate in Costessey. (Image: Gary Johns Architects)

The £830,000 store is opening at the end of September, according to a Co-op spokesperson.

It will be part of a bigger development made up of three other smaller shop/commercial units - one of which will be a pizza restaurant and the other a base for Think Property - a car park for more than 30 vehicles and free cash machine, all near Queen's Hill Primary School.

Costessey county councillor Sharon Blundell, who lives on the 1,879 home estate, said: "It is amazing living here and the community is brilliant but when the shop is open it would be nice to walk across the road to pick up some milk."

Building work started on Queen's Hill, near Longwater Retail Park, around 2006 and apart from around 20 homes to be built near the new Co-op, the development is finished.

Vice-chairman of Costessey Town Council, Gary Blundell, said: "The Co-op is something residents have wanted for a long while. While it will benefit a lot of residents, I'm still in two minds about whether it will be used enough. But there are a lot of residents who don't drive."

Norwich Evening News: Costessey Town Council member Gary Blundell. Picture: BRITTANY WOODMANCostessey Town Council member Gary Blundell. Picture: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

The nearest supermarket for people living on the estate are Sainsbury's on Longwater Retail Park and there is an East of England Co-op Foodstore further away on Norwich Road, New Costessey.

Plans for an Aldi store on Longwater Business Park, opposite the Sainsbury's superstore, were also approved by South Norfolk Council this year but building work is yet to start.

Norwich Evening News: Homes on the Queen's Hill development in Costessey which was started around 2006.Homes on the Queen's Hill development in Costessey which was started around 2006. (Image: Archant 2021)

A spokesperson for the Co-op said: "We are delighted that there is an opportunity to serve the local community. We are working to develop the range, choice, products and added services locally to create a really compelling offer, conveniently – and we are very excited to welcome the community into their Co-op.

"Co-op is committed to connecting communities and making a difference locally, and our aim is to create value and operate at the heart of local life."