A TESCO Express could be built on the site of Ordnance Survey’s former home in Southampton.

The store, which could create up to 30 jobs, could form part of the final phase of redevelopment at the site.

By the time building work is completed by December 2015, the site in Romsey Road will house almost 400 new homes.

The former William Roy Building, which once housed 5,000 ||workers, was demolished last year as Ordnance Survey moved to new offices at Adanac Park.

Construction giant Kier, which built the firm’s new headquarters, then bought the Romsey Road site and launched plans to turn it into one of the biggest new housing developments in the city.

Construction is well under way on two sections of the 24-acre site.

Barratt Homes is building 141 apartments and houses as part of the Cardinal Park development to the south of the site.

And Taylor Wimpey is building 179 homes to the north as part of its Compass Point development.

The project has created about 200 construction jobs.

Now Kier has applied to Southampton City Council for the final part of the project.

Their application is for 43 houses, 23 flats, a 4,113 sq ft convenience store and a 1,000 sq ft retail or cafe unit.

A spokesman for Kier confirmed they are in discussions with Tesco about setting up an Express store in the larger unit if permission is granted.

A spokesman for the firm said: “We are delighted and proud to be in the final stages of this exciting mixed-use development. “From the initial and successful relocation of the Royal Ordnance Survey office to Adanac Park in Nursling, to these closing phases, the development has remained positive and innovative throughout in generating mixed-use opportunities for the local area.”

A spokesman for Tesco said: “We’re always looking for opportunities and we are aware of this particular site. “Should we bring forward any firm proposals we will of course consult with the local community over our plans.”