Plans for the redevelopment of Manor Street can be the catalyst to start a revival of Braintree town centre, a top councillor has claimed.

It is hoped the multi-million pound redevelopment, which includes new healthcare facilities, apartments, a hotel, a car park, bus station and a cafe restaurant, can act as a springboard for further investment in Braintree.

Tom Cunningham told The Times the council’s plans for the area had really taken off in the previous 12 months.

“We have listened to retailers and we think there is a real opportunity to renew the town centre,” he said.

“We want this development to help generate an atmosphere in the town centre.”

“The investment is a sign of faith in the town and I hope that it will rub off on any other investors or people who want to open businesses here.”

Mr Cunningham admitted added investment is needed throughout the town centre and promised Braintree Council would work with the relevant stakeholders to see how this could be achieved, even reigniting the hopes of pedestrianising Braintree High Street.

He said: “We have to limit expectations a little because this is the only piece of land in the town centre the council actually own.

"We cannot bring the diggers in to rip up Bank Street because we do not own the land.

"We hope to work with the highways authority in particular about High Street.

“What we have at the moment is the worst of both worlds, where cars rarely use it, but it is still a bus route.

“It is not an ideal situation and there are maintenance issues as well.

“We toyed with pedestrianisation of the high street over Christmas with the markets and this is something we will explore further.”