A council has managed to secure tenants for a new office development before work has even begun on building it.

Colchester Borough Council has recently exchanged contracts on a pre-let for its new landmark Sheepen Place Office Development scheme with legal and financial advisers Birkett Long.

The council has said the agreement is an important step in its plans to generate new income and reduce the need to make cuts.

It also hopes to stimulate economic development and create more jobs.

The proposals are to develop the southern part of Sheepen Road car park into a new 19,700 square foot office building.

Planning consent will also be secured for the development of a further office building on the site which will be brought forward as a second phase.

Councillor Mark Cory, portfolio holder for resources, said: “I am very pleased that we have managed to secure this pre-let agreement for the Sheepen Place Office Development.

“We are delighted to have Birkett Long, a prestigious and well respected firm of legal and financial advisers, as our new long-term tenant.

“During the recent difficult financial times Colchester Borough has looked to become more commercially minded.

“The Sheepen Road development is a great example of this. Using the Revolving Investment Fund to fund this project shows how the council is becoming more commercially focussed in order to deliver its borough-wide priorities.

Adrian Livesley, managing partner at Birkett Long, said: “We employ 180 people across Essex and our firm continues to expand.

“We are outgrowing our current space in Colchester so we look forward to seeing these plans come to fruition.

“We are all excited about this project and the future of Birkett Long in Colchester and across Essex.”

This development will be the first substantial new build office building in the borough for many years.

It is anticipated a planning application for the office development will be submitted in late August.