WORK on a major regeneration project which could bring an extra 24,000 visitors to Braintree is set to begin.

The revamp of Manor Street and Victoria Street was given the final green light by councillors during a meeting on Monday night where many reaffirmed their support for the multimillion pound scheme.

Planning permission to construct a a new 70-room hotel, 35 homes, bus interchange, two storey car park, cafe and medical centre on land behind Braintree Town Hall was approved back in March.

Discussions have continued throughout the summer and Kier Construction Ltd has now been awarded the design and build contract.

Negotiations are also continuing with an unnamed housing group over plans to sell-off the 35 homes which are part of the regeneration in a move which could help open them up to first-time buyers.

Braintree Council will fund the regeneration scheme and councillors approved a budget for the project during Monday's meeting.

The financial details of the revamp have not been made public but it is expected to cost significantly more than an initial estimate of £11.5m.

Speaking before councillors voted in favour of approving the budget, the council's corporate transformation boss John McKee revealed the regeneration could create up to 100 new jobs in the town centre, see footfall increase by 2,000 each month and bring more than £3.5m to the economy every year.

He added: "Without the financial contribution from the authority the scheme would not be viable. However, the return on the scheme, whilst not making the returns we would expect from a pure financial investment, will make a greater financial return than either bank deposits or short term investments.

"They key reason to vote through this project is it will support residents through providing much needed health and wellbeing centre into the town centre without which this district will not be able to grow and the development of housing growth in Braintree and surrounding villages will continue without appropriate health facilities.

"The continuing problem of access to GP surgeries will become more acute."