UP TO 100 apartments could be built next to Braintree train station if the site is recommended for development.

Planning officers at Braintree Council have recommended the site, off Station Road, is put forward for the draft Local Plan.

Officers said: “The site is very well located as it is close to the town centre and railway line, however access is difficult, and it would be necessary to demonstrate that a suitable access could be achieved.

“The site should be allocated for residential development within the draft Local Plan, but the landowner needs to provide additional evidence on the access arrangements for the site, or it cannot be included in the final version.”

Andrew Hensman, councillor for Braintree Central, said any development would stop the railway line from ever expanding. He said: “If we are going to have any hope of expanding the railway line, from a commuter’s point of view it could be realigned to go through Stansted, which would give the town more potential.

“To cut the railway off completely and stop it from ever being extended would just be boxing everything in.

“But we have got to build houses somewhere and town centres are automatic brownfield sites.”