NEGOTIATIONS over the future of a proposed £10 million revamp of Braintree town centre that began five years ago are still continuing.
Developer Henry Boot was given a deadline of December 31 to submit its plans to Braintree District Council.
But this was extended by the authority after news plans could also include a new doctors' surgery in the complex.
The 32,000 sq ft proposal on land behind the town hall could house a gym and a new town square, health and leisure facilities and now Mount Chambers GP surgery, which is currently in Coggeshall Road.
The council first began working with Henry Boot in 2009, but says that the town and retail patterns have changed since this initial venture began.
A spokesman for Braintree District Council said: "Due to Mount Chambers Surgery gaining permission from the NHS to expand the surgery, this has now led to ongoing negotiation between the doctors and Henry Boot, and as such it may be necessary to extend the development agreement beyond the December deadline.
"We are in regular contact with all parties involved, and we expect plans to be submitted in the near future."
Adrian Schofield, regional manager for Henry Boot Developments, said the company intended to continue with the Braintree scheme.
