Brentwood Borough Council has appointed Willmott Dixon Developments and Milligan as development partners for the next stage of the Baytree Shopping Centre transformation. The current proposal is a leisure-led scheme for the front of the site, with a cinema, food and drink venues and improved public space; the rear could be prepared for homes in future, but no housing scheme has been approved.
What has been appointed—and what the £100m figure means
The council approved the next major step in September 2026 and announced the partnership on 1 October. Willmott Dixon says it was appointed through Pagabo’s Developer Led Framework. The council will retain ownership of Baytree and remain the landowner, funder and strategic decision-maker. Brentwood Borough Council’s announcement, Willmott Dixon’s announcement and the council decision record set out the appointment.
Willmott Dixon describes the project as having a £100 million development value. That is the developer’s description of the scheme’s value, not a confirmed construction contract sum or the council’s contribution. Separately, Brentwood Borough Council says it will invest more than £6 million. These figures should not be treated as equivalent. Willmott Dixon announcement; council announcement.
What is proposed for Baytree?
Front of the site: a leisure quarter
The current council concept centres on a boutique or premium-format cinema, with restaurants and bars. It also calls for better public space around the historic ruins of the Chapel of St Thomas à Becket. The council decision record describes a cinema-led leisure offer, food-and-beverage uses and public-realm improvements. These are proposals, not a final design or a list of confirmed occupiers. Council announcement; decision record.
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Rear of the site: potential for future homes
The rear land is to be prepared separately, creating potential for homes at a later stage. The council has not said that a residential scheme there is approved. An earlier proposal notice also mentioned gyms, cafés, flexible workspace and a possible residential-led scheme at the southern end; those were earlier concepts, not a definitive set of committed uses. Earlier council proposal.
What happens next?
The appointment advances development work, but the council says it has not committed to construction. Its stated next steps are to finalise the development agreement, progress detailed design, submit a planning application and begin early engagement with existing centre occupiers. Planning approval and agreement on the development terms remain important milestones before a construction programme can be confirmed. Brentwood Borough Council.
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An earlier council notice, published before the September decision, described an expectation that work on the chapel ruins could start the following year and that the wider redevelopment could reopen in summer 2029, subject to approval. The 1 October announcement does not confirm that timetable, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed start or completion date. Earlier council proposal; current announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is not yet established
The public announcements do not provide confirmed housing numbers, named cinema or hospitality operators, or forecasts for jobs, footfall, visitor spending or wider economic impact. The council decision record says detailed deliberation moved into private session, and the public material does not provide enough information to set out rejected commercial options. The mix and scale of uses will depend on detailed design and the planning process.
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