Calls for shop rent reductions will “certainly” be considered if traders say a new £14m shopping centre is taking away business.

At an Epping Forest District Council meeting on Tuesday (July 26), councillor Chris Pond said shop managers in Debden Broadway are concerned that the new Epping Forest Shopping Park could cause a decline in trading.

The council is in negotiations with a number of shops for the 16,000sqm site in Langston Road, Loughton, ahead of a planned August 2017 opening.

Extensive roadworks around the site are expected to disrupt traffic in the area.

At the meeting, Cllr Pond asked economic development councillor Anne Grigg: “Will she acknowledge the fears that those traders have as to the possible decline of their business?

“And will she hold herself ready to consider – if that can be proved – a general scheme of rent abatements for EFDC tenants if justified in that area?”

Cllr Grigg said that time constraints meant “the works are going to take longer than we would originally have hoped”.

She added: “I understand the views of the traders, but I think I’ve been aware of traders’ concerns in the Broadway previously, when we had works done in the Broadway.

“I’m certainly prepared to look at them, I can’t give any guarantees regarding abatements etc. but if they want to put forward their cases then I’ll certainly consider it.”

Last Thursday (July 21), the council approved a £10.2m construction contract with McLaughlin & Harvey Construction, as well as a £2.978m contract for the roadworks.

New pedestrian crossings, improved street lighting and drainage systems will be built, and mini-roundabouts will be replaced with traffic lights.

Changes will be made around the Chigwell Lane junction with Abridge Road, the Rectory Lane junction with the Broadway and Langston Road.

Some footways and carriageways will be widened on Chigwell Lane and Rectory Lane.

Essex County Council said the changes will “reduce the impact” of extra traffic from the shopping park.

The work will start by the end of August.

Road users will be hit by delays during the works, which are planned to finish by April 2017.

Work will normally be done between 7.30am to 5pm on weekdays and 8am to 1.30pm on Saturday, with overnight works sometimes required.