Additional works needed for popular community centre's revamp

A new air conditioning unit, new windows and other external works are due to be agreed as part of a major £1.5million revamp of a much-loved community centre in south Essex. The additional works are set to be agreed by Castle Point Council as part of the revamp of the Paddocks Community Centre on Canvey Island. This is the latest works identified by the council as part of the refurbishment, after it agreed additional electrical works, replacement of rotten fascia boards, the replacement of high-level rotten window frames and cladding, replacement of the lower roof in August.

The building, which opened in 1973, has been at the heart of the community for decades and used by various social groups and events; more recently it was used by the NHS to administer Covid-19 vaccinations. Under the plans, the new air handling unit would be on the newly refurbished roof of the centre and at the rear of the building. The windows on the north side and first floor of the building will be replaced with similar and the existing column structures are proposed to be clad with UPVC cladding.

Previous plans were to demolish the existing centre and rebuild it under the previous Tory administration at the council. These proposals sparked major anger in the community with strong opposition against rebuilding the centre. These proposals were eventually scrapped with a new independant council administration.

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The council will consider the latest proposed works for the centre at a meeting on December 3. The officer’s report states: “The positive aspects of the proposal provide a community benefit and there are no adverse impacts of the development which would outweigh the benefits of the proposal.

“The proposal is part of a larger scale refurbishment project at the site, so it is consistent with the framework’s objective of providing the use of community facilities and so no objection is raised to the proposal in principle.

“The proposal would help to provide the provision of a community space as part of the continued refurbishment project at The Paddocks which furthers the Frameworks aims of providing such spaces and retaining them for the benefit of the community. No adverse impacts can be identified which would justify a refusal of planning permission and it is recommended that the proposal be approved.”