MULTIMILLION pound plans to transform Braintree town centre have edged a step closer after experts gave their approval to the scheme.

Planning officers at Braintree Council accept there will be some harm caused by the regeneration of Manor Street but insist the benefits of the "ambitious" proposals will far outweigh any negatives.

The plans will go before a planning committee during a crucial meeting next week which could see the green light given to the scheme.

Councillors have been given a recommendation to approve the plans, and will be able to hear from members of the public on the subject before they discuss and make a final decision.

The officers' report, which has been put together by development manager Christopher Paggi, states: "The proposals are considered to comprise a positive redevelopment of this important site in the town centre.

"The general approach to the layout, design and appearance of the development is supported.

"The development would result in a modern mixed use town centre development with improved active linkages to the town centre and a new, well designed public space would be created.

"Although some concerns are expressed in terms of the scale and massing of some of the buildings, it would reflect its ambitious scale and would announce the sense of arrival at the town centre."

If approved, the plans would see a new 70-room hotel, 35 homes, bus interchange, two storey car park, cafe and medical centre all built on land behind Braintree Town Hall which has been dubbed "dull and unloved" by council bosses.

Though many of statutory consultees have not raised any objections to the plans, Essex County Council's historic building consultant Nicolas Page has refused to support the council's application.

Mr Page has warned the introduction of taller buildings will "cause considerable harm" to the town hall and the surrounding conservation area.

In a statement, he added: "In my opinion the proposed scale of development for this site is over ambitious and as a result is at least one-storey too tall on each elevation from a heritage perspective.

"I conclude that the proposed massing would result in considerable harm to the Grade II listed Town Hall by removing irrevocably long distance views of the clock tower from Manor Street and Victoria Street."

All members of the public are invited to attend next week's planning meeting, which starts at 7:15pm on Tuesday, at Causeway House.

Any residents wishing to speak must register by contacting the Governance and Members Team on 01376 552525 or email governance@braintree.gov.uk by midday on the working day before the day of the Committee meeting which in this case is midday on Monday, March 11. Spaces for public question time are limited.