Development in the Braintree District 'could create 490 jobs per year'

Braintree Council, as part of the Local Plan, has identified a number of sites suitable for employment use.

Some are extensions of business parks and others are news developments, including an innovation and enterprise park known as Eastlink 120, on land to the west of the A131 at Great Notley.

Other proposed areas for business include major business parks within garden communities in Braintree and Marks Tey, extensions to business parks in Braintree, Witham and Halstead, and new business parks in Witham Town Centre and Maltings Lane in Witham.

A report by the council said: "A key objective for the area is to strengthen and diversify local economies to provide more jobs and to achieve a better balance between the location of jobs and housing, which will reduce the need to travel and promote sustainable growth.

"Braintree District’s employment is relatively focused on industrial-type sectors, including construction and manufacturing.

"London Stansted airport plays a significant role in employing residents of the district and through the indirect economic benefits associated with

proximity to such a large employment hub.

"Retail is the second largest sector by employment and plays an important role in sustaining the district’s three key town centres."

However, the council said there are now more buildings within employment areas being turned into personal storage, gyms and leisure facilities.

The council is now trying to preserve business parks for employment use.

A garden community west of Braintree could provide a large majority of jobs.

The report said: "Garden communities have the potential to deliver one job per household, in line with the garden communities charter, and to support employment growth in surrounding areas."