A listed planter means a business case looking into how council staff can be fit into one building will cost a quarter of a million pounds.

In April 2016 Epping Forest District Council paid Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) £80,000 to figure out where to house all of its officers in a cost effective manner.

It was agreed they would be based in the council's Civic Offices on Epping High Street, leading a further £109,000 to be given to PwC to create an outline business case exploring the practicality of the move.

Just as the report was being finished however, Historic England inspected the offices and declared large parts of them worthy of Grade II listing.

As a result, a further £72,000 is now required to update the business case, taking the total paid to PwC to £261,000.

Att a Cabinet meeting on June 14, leader of the council Chris Whitbread said: "Even the front desk has been listed. The planning desk has been listed. Most of the panelling has been listed. It's an in-depth listing.

"Even the planters in the reception area have been listed."

The listing of architect Richard Reid's building means Historic England need to sign off on any renovations made to the officers.

Cllr Whitbread was determined this would not affect the council's plans to "streamline" its services however.

He added: "Clearly our aim is the make the best use of this public asset.

"We will not compromise on meeting expectations of residents as we seek to provide facilities for them and our staff as we look to provide for the future."

The extra funds were approved by the Cabinet, meaning a formal report will be put to the council in September.