A GROUP set up to fill the void left when a children's charity in Braintree collapsed now hopes to move into its former home.

PARC - a play and resource centre in Great Notley - closed suddenly last year when the charity got into financial difficulties.

The centre provided play and recreation facilities for children and young adults with additional needs.

The sudden closure left families in limbo, with nowhere else to turn to support their children.

Following the closure, POP Essex was created by parents who used to use PARC’s services.

Now the PARC building is set to be brought back into use, members of the community have voiced their support to give the site to POP, which stands for Power of Play.

Matt Carr and wife Jamey are two of the many driving forces behind the group.

Mr Carr said: “We are pleased the lease has been secured, not just as POP but as parents.

“We know people are screaming out for more provision and support for their kids and families.

“We are pleased to see progress for the first time in what feels like an age.”

Mr Carr continued: “It is lovely to see all the support we’ve got for everyone to see us in such a positive light.

“We really hope POP is considered and long term we can use the site as a tenant.

“The whole reason POP was created was because PARC closed.

“What started off as a short-term solution has snowballed and got bigger and bigger.

"We now have about 250 families and during this summer were averaging 30 to 50 children at sessions each day for two days a week.

“We just don’t have somewhere to fully replicate what PARC was doing, so for us to operate out of the building in any format would be great, but I am concerned there is a conflict of interest.

“Braintree Council is consulting with Essex County Council which runs short breaks and may want to use the site for that, so I feel like they may favour themselves.

“But we will have to wait and see.”

A spokesman for Braintree Council said it is “working closely with our colleagues over at Essex County Council on finding a suitable organisation to take on the building – one which can support children with complex needs”.

Council resources boss Kevin Bowers added: “Essex County Council is the statutory authority responsible for the commissioning of services for children and young people across Essex.

“We know with their experience and expertise, the process of selection will be a fair and robust one.  

“Any organisation that would take the building on will need to operate it safely, efficiently and, importantly, sustainably.

“It will need to offer the right services and be in a good financial position to deliver those services over the long term.

“We need to get this process right because we know how important this building and the services it can support are to families and children with complex needs.”