A new proposal could see large supermarkets in the district asked to pay extra in a bid to help smaller shops.

Epping Forest councillors will debate whether to charge a local levy of up to 8.5 per cent on top of current business rates for large outlets.

The plans, which were proposed by Green councillor Steven Neville, could raise an estimated £189,000 a year that would assist in cutting smaller shops taxes and re-energising town centres.

Cllr Neville said: “This should go some way to level the playing field for independent or family-run shops that often have seen their livelihoods come under threat by the activities of big supermarket chains at Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Waltham Abbey and Epping.

“The problem is that independent traders must pay business rates that are a far higher proportion of their turnover than the business rates levied on large supermarkets and other retail warehouse chains.

“Yet research shows that half the money spent in independent shops stays in the local economy while 95 per cent of the cash we spend in supermarkets is sucked out of the area.”

Under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, the Government must consider proposals from councils that promote local sustainability and even if rejected they can be resubmitted by the Local Government Association.

The levy is already charged in Northern Ireland and Scotland and 20 councils in England and Wales have asked the government for the powers to raise it.

Cllr Neville added: “My motion will be seconded by a Labour councillor and I hope I can win cross party support.”