A NEW hotel could be built in Braintree as part of the multi million pound regeneration around Manor Street.

Braintree Council has been approached by a major hotel firm who expressed an interest in coming to the town.

The hotel could become part of the £11.5 million regeneration of the area.

Plans, which are at a very early stage, also include the new surgery, restaurants, a pharmacy and better public transport links, including bus services.

Braintree Council’s plans to build a new healthcare facility to replace the Mount Chambers Surgery were shown in a public exhibition on Wednesday.

The site for redevelopment is the area behind the town hall in Manor Street, which is under council ownership.

Braintree Council staged the exhibition to showcase new plans put forward by a new partnership.

The contract with developers Henry Boot was terminated last year.

A new contract was awarded to a partnership of firms including AHR, an architecture firm, Potter Raper Partnership, a project management firm, and CgMs, a consultancy company. Developers say they would like to make the area “a hub for development”, with a car park included as well as the bus station and hotel.

A spokesman for the Potter Raper Partnership said: “A hotel has approached us to develop on the land.

“However, even if it pulled out of the development, we would develop this land into homes which are in high demand.

A spokesman for the council said: “At this stage, we believe that the delivery of a hotel would help to meet the council’s objectives.”

“Additional quality hotel rooms are needed in the town centre to support economic development by catering for business users and tourists.”

“We would expect any hotel to also deliver a bar and restaurant.”

Many of the plans are still at the consultation stage.