A new developer has been chosen to transform land in the centre of Halstead - but campaigners still insist it should become a heritage site.

The site off the High Street was put back on the market in autumn last year for mixed use when Tesco terminated its contract to build a new supermarket in May.

Lady Patricia Newton, cabinet member for planning and property at Braintree Council, said: “Following marketing of the site, the consortium of landowners have selected a preferred bidder and are now working towards a conditional exchange of contracts.

“The land has been earmarked for development for a number of years and offers a good opportunity to provide much needed housing within the town.

“At this stage, as the contracts have yet to be exchanged, we cannot provide further information on the bidder, but plans put forward will still be subject to the planning process, during which residents would be able to provide comments and views on the plans.”

* Full story in this week's Halstead Gazette.