A NEW library is hoped to kick start a multimillion-pound town centre revamp - after a decade of delays.

Essex County Council is considering a new site in Hadleigh town centre as part of a development which includes up to 60 homes and ten shops.

Previous plans were budgeted to cost about £60 million.

Castle Point’s Tory leader Norman Smith has now met with senior figures at County Hall to discuss the plans.

He said: “The meeting was extremely positive.

“I’ve been frustrated that we had to wait for the county council to decide on keeping the library.

“The county council is keen to get this moving soon, as am I.

“We are looking at having the library where it is now or moving to be in the new development or the old fire station.

“I am certainly hoping to get plans and work started by the end of this year.

“It will be good to have a new modern library with everything and more than we have currently, and new homes for residents who can shop in the new town centre shopping area.

“The whole project cost will be met by the developer.”

It comes as Castle Point Council is set to approve its plan for the demolition of the derelict Crown Pub as part of the project.

The future of the site is set to be discussed today.

However, some residents are sceptical after years of delays.

Sheila Cox, 70, of Homestead Gardens, said: “We’ve waited so long and it’s such a mess.

“People come into the town and comment about how bad it looks – we don’t want that reaction.”

Bernie Gardiner, 60, said: “Resident are happy about this.

“I want to see a big new shopping centre with major names such as John Lewis.

“If we can draw people into the town it’d be amazing.”

The pub closed in 2009, but had been home to a pub since 1769.

The borough council has been planning to revamp Hadleigh town centre for almost a decade.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “We are in the early stages of this discussions as to how we may collaborate together and no formal decisions have been made.”