Essex village hall could be demolished by council at cost of £70k

Brentwood Borough Council could spend as much as £70,000 to demolish an empty and unused building. The Herongate Village Hall has been in a state of dilapidation for a number of years. The building started to deteriorate after it ceased being actively used around 2006, when it is believed the charity trust ceased meeting and operating the hall.

The council says it could cost £70,000 to knock down but around £200,000 for a renovation. That option has been recognised as unlikely and a date is set to agree a cut off.

Councillor Gareth Barrett, chairman of asset, projects and strategy committee said: “We have a building that is declining and although unsafe to occupy isn't at the current time expected to fall but we cannot guarantee its quality going forward. A managed demolition is the most appropriate way for us to manage this building going forward, so we were looking to set a date for that rather than just wait for it to fall down, which is the alternative.”

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He said the council plans to offer an opportunity for the community to come up with a plan, albeit “there isn't necessarily a high likelihood for it”. He said: “Our intent is to give opportunity but we do recognize it is a very narrow window. But given we have to get to a point of demolition because the building is unsafe to occupy and may become unsafe more widely and it is by a highway and near a place for children to play it is appropriate for us to take these steps."