A major new shopping centre could open in August 2017 after building work was given the go-ahead.

Last week, a cabinet meeting of Epping Forest District Council approved construction contracts for the £14m Epping Forest Shopping Park, which will be built in Langston Road, Loughton.

Although the shops opening in the centre are yet to be confirmed, it was previously estimated that 200 jobs could be created by the project.

The council said it is not in negotiations with any “discounter” brands, but is instead in talks with well-known retailers in fashion, toys, furniture, sports, outdoor activities and food.

A council spokesman said: “This is really good news for the district.

“The £14m Epping Forest Shopping Park is set to bring many jobs and inward investment to our district.

“It will be a major boost for the local economy.

“Analysis of local people’s shopping habits shows that residents of Epping Forest tend to do much of their shopping outside the district.

“This is particularly so for clothing, electrical and white goods where 75 per cent of our residents go elsewhere.

“By encouraging local residents to spend their money inside the district, we will be creating jobs.”

The 16,000sqm park will also create an income from the council, he said, which can be “ploughed back into local services” and help keep council tax at a steady rate.

Concerns have previously been raised by groups such as the Loughton Residents Association (LRA), which said the centre could take business away from Debden Broadway.

However, the council spokesman said the new shops will “complement” the Broadway and added: “Local people employed in the park will have more money to spend in the Broadway and other parts of the district.

“Secondary spending by retail park shoppers will also boost trade in surrounding areas.”

As well as a £10.2m construction contract to McLaughlin & Harvey Construction, the cabinet meeting last Thursday (July 21) also approved major roadworks around the site totalling £2.978m.

David Linnell of the LRA said: “Councillor Chris Pond asked the district council to consider rent reductions for the traders in the Broadway, because of the likely disruption.

“When the Broadway was refurbished, there was a considerable effect on traders.

“The district council turned that down because they say the road will remain open and only road closures will be done at night.”

He said it is still uncertain whether the new centre will be a good thing for Loughton.

“If they complement the traders we have already got in the Broadway and High Road, and bring more people into the area, that is great.

“If they actually take away trading away… that will be very bad for the traders and for all.

“At the moment, they are saying there is a lot of interest but we don’t know who from or whether that will be converted into actual contracts.”

Opening in August 2017 was set after earlier dates of 2016 and Easter 2017 were hit by planning delays.

More: Calls for rent reduction in Debden Broadway 'will be considered'