Work is soon to start to create a town park as part of the regeneration of east Braintree.

The John Ray Park will provide a green link from London Road to Rose Hill, with pathways, a pond and sculptures.

Following extensive public consultation, Braintree Council is now looking at how to pay for the park.

At a meeting of the council's area environment and planning committee on Tuesday, members welcomed action on the scheme.

Committee vice-chairman, Cllr David Mann, said the park was another key part of East Braintree improvements.

"I'm pleased it's not just words, but action and hard cash," he said.

"Public perception is that Braintree lacks green areas and public parks and I'm very glad that this proposal will help to overcome that perceived deficiency."

Black Notley councillor, Peter Turner, also welcomed the project. "I think we have seen enough concrete. It will be nice to see a green area that town residents would have access to," he commented.

Some money is available from Government-awarded funding for the regeneration of east Braintree, and £75,000 will be given from a planning gain agreement with Admiral Homes.

Council head of forward planning, Paul Munson, said a public consultation held last month showed support for the plans.

"Responses were generally supportive and favourable to the proposals and largely concerned matters of detail," he said.

"Our intention is to commission a number of artists to help develop the proposals.

"We have had a number of interesting submissions, with at least three potential works."

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