Plans to create affordable office space for new and expanding businesses in Witham could be complete by 2022, it has been revealed.

Braintree Council wants to create Witham Enterprise Centre and has committed £500,00 in funding for the project already.

Land for the premises will be secured once the 150th property of Redrow Homes’ 750 home Mulberries development is built.

Then 1.5 hectares of office space, about the size of a rugby pitch and a half, will be created at the Hatfield Road site.

The council believes, if everything runs according to its estimated timetable, the offices will be open in 2022 or 2023.

A spokesman for Braintree Council said: “The Witham Enterprise Centre will provide high-quality new commercial units to attract new businesses into the district and allow existing businesses to grow.

“Our district is an attractive place to do business and we want new businesses to continue to come to Witham to create new jobs for our growing population.

“We are working in close partnership with Essex County Council to explore additional funding streams for the centre and other opportunities.”

Although supportive of the idea of the enterprise centre, Witham Chamber of Commerce believe the location is not ideal.

Chairman Tina Townsend said: “There is a big need for low-cost office space and hot desking space in Witham.

“But we believe it realistically need to be in a position where it benefits other members of the community as well.

“We do not feel the position is necessarily the best because it is not making the most of what we already have here in Witham.”