A plan for a major development in the centre of Epping, including a new town square and cinema, has taken a step forward after the district council agreed to put aside £1million to purchase land from Essex County Council.

The proposal appeared to have been stalled last month when the preferred developer of the land in St John’s Road, Frontier Estates, said the county council was looking at an option to build a care home on part of the site it owned.

However, it now appears a deal has moved closer after the district council’s cabinet agreed to allocate the funds during a behind-closed-doors discussion last Monday. The county and district councils are yet to comment further on the development.

The proposal, described as a major leisure and commercial hub, would also include homes and new businesses on the seven-acre site.

Essex County Council currently owns the largest section of the site, which is occupied by the former Epping Junior School.

Cllr Jon Whitehouse,‏ of Epping Hemnall ward, described the allocation of funds as a “positive step forward”.

He said: “The council clearly feel the deal represents value for money for a very valuable piece of land for the future of Epping.

“With Essex County no longer at the site it should simplify discussions with developers as it reduces the number of landowners involved.

"The development will bring services we do not have in Epping like a cinema and public spaces as well as investment in businesses and more jobs."

Issues raised through a public consultation last year included protection of historic buildings, the demand for better leisure facilities and concern that a potential supermarket would damage smaller businesses in the area.

The proposal would see Epping Town Council move offices from Epping Hall, which would be demolished to make way for housing, into new offices in the Centre Point building in St John’s Road.

The public was barred from hearing discussions on the decision to allocate the purchase funds in the interests of commercial confidentiality.

A new hall for use by St John’s Church is also included in the plans.