PROPOSALS to turn a Brentwood town centre car park into a mix of shops and flats moved a step closer this week.

Westbury Road car park, which sits the M25 side of Weald Road, currently has space for 112 vehicles, earning Brentwood Council £50,000 a year in permit revenue.

The council asset and enterprise committee has come up with possible options to make better use of the site and increase revenue.

One would see 21 flats built along with six retail units.

The shops would be owned by the council, meaning it could set the rates for retailers.

The council has said in the past it would set rates lower to encourage the likes of a local fishmonger who can’t afford rates on the High Street. Another option would see 30 flats built.

The council estimates both options could raise about £1.5million for council coffers.

Council leader Barry Aspinell said: “It’s something we can do because it’s our land.

“We can engage with businesses and people on the plans and do a consultation. There are a lot of residents at that end of the town who could use a local shop.”