HERITAGE leaders fear multi-million pound plans to transform Braintree will affect an historic area of the town centre.

Braintree Council plans to redevelop the Manor Street area in the town, creating a 70-bed hotel, 35 apartments, a new bus park and shops.

The designs also incorporate Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group’s first Livewell Hub, which will combine a GP surgery and chemist as well as providing some other NHS services.

The council submitted an application back in July.

But now Historic England has said it has concerns about the plans on “heritage grounds”.

In a letter Sheila Stones, inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, said: “While we welcome the proposals in principle, we consider the quantum of development, together with its scale and massing, will have a significant impact on the surrounding conservation area and on the setting of the grade II* listed Town Hall in particular which is sited immediately adjacent to the application site.”

She added the introduction of buildings which are up to five and six storeys in height would “create a precedent within the conservation area.”

As part of the plans capacity at the town’s bus park will almost double, with nine bus stops instead of the existing five.

A new two-storey car park will also be created for residents of the new homes, surgery patients and shoppers.

Braintree Museum, which neighbours the site, has also raised concerns about the plans.

In a letter to the council, the trust, raised concerns about loss of income, loss of parking for cars and coaches, the landscape design and disabled access.

It said: “The closure of Manor Street Car Park, loss of the coach drop-off bay, building site traffic and noise will have a significant impact on visitor numbers to the museum, for which the trust seeks compensation for the associated loss of income.”

Initial estimates put the cost of the scheme at about £11.5 million, however this is expected to be much higher for the final plans.

If planning permission is approved, Braintree Council will hold a further public exhibition later this year with further community engagement work expected to be carried out by the appointed contractor.

Construction work is expected to take around two years to complete.

A Braintree Council spokesman said: “A date for the Manor Street planning application to go to Planning Committee has not yet been confirmed.

"Residents are still able to comment on the application via the formal planning process online at www.braintree.gov.uk/planning, using reference 18/01337/FUL.”