Plans to build a link road between Braintree town centre and the new Chapel Hill factory shopping village have been given the green light by councillors.

Braintree Council's area planning committee last night heard plans would see the road running through an area of derelict land between Manor Street and Railway Street, running behind existing properties.

Councillors were told landowners have formed a group to promote the development of this area.

Two separate planning applications have been submitted for the land between Manor Street, Railway Street and Rose Hill.

Both of these applications have made provision for the link road and are currently out for consultation.

One plan centres on building an Aldi supermarket and the other is for mixed uses which could include retail and business units.

Councillors were told approval of the link road plans would not have direct bearing on the two applications, but would unlock the land for development and provide improved transport links for the area.

A sum of money has been made available for work to the highway, so long as approval is given by March 2000.

Originally it was proposed the link road would run north to south between Manor Street and Rose Hill, but this was found to be too expensive.

The most economical route, which would run east to west between Manor Street and Railway Street, has now been proposed.

David Mann (Lab, Bocking North) said: "I am very happy to support this application.

"Environment and highway improvements in this area are long overdue and this will go a long way to achieving them.

"This will complete the route from the new Freeport Leisure development to the town centre which I consider to be all important if we want people to come into the town centre after visiting Freeport."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans.

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