A �14million retail development has moved a step closer to reality.
Plans to regenerate Braintree town centre have been in the pipeline for a year, but were delayed after council bosses and developers failed to complete a formal agreement.
This week Braintree District Council announced Henry Boot Developments Ltd has signed up to carry out the work.
The proposals include a 32,000 sq ft shopping centre, restaurants and cafes and a 60 bedroom hotel.
A 250-space multi-storey car park and a bus park is also planned for the site in Manor Street.
Cabinet member for prosperity Lady Patricia Newton said: “This is significant for Braintree as we go forward to the next stage with Henry Boot Developments signed up as our development partner. The regeneration of land behind the town hall will be a key part of our wider plans to boost the fortunes of the whole of the town and ensure it has a wide commercial and cultural appeal to attract more visitors, shoppers and businesses to Braintree for a sustainable and healthy future.”
Henry Boot Developments has two years to submit a planning application.
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