A COMMUNITY centre which was destroyed in a fire four years ago will be rebuilt after planning permission was finally granted.

Plans to demolish and re-build the Markham Chase play centre in Laindon Link have been approved by Basildon Council.

It means Busy Bees will be able to return to its former home, which was gutted by fire.

Andrew Gordon, councillor for Lee Chapel North, was very happy to see the plans approved at Tuesday night’s planning committee.

He said: “It’s good to see that finally, after so long, that this gutted building is finally getting the play centre it once had again.

“I’m pleased to see this coming forward.

“I can only support this because it will bring some life back into that community centre and it is truly needed.”

The fire in February 2014 destroyed the building and forced the nursery and other groups to find new homes.

Since then, the play centre has been out of use.

The re-development, which will be run by Basildon Council will also include a fenced outdoor area surrounding a new grassed area, a new car park and a new fire door to the rear of Bluehouse Farm Community Centre, along with internal refurbishment works.

A new car park will be built with 17 parking spaces.

However, the new centre is planned to be smaller than its predecessor due to the cost.

Mr Gordon added: “I’m concerned to hear there was not enough funding for the rebuild because this was funded through the insurance from after the fire that happened.”

Stephen Hillier, councillor for Langdon Hills, added: “I think it’s difficult to understand why we are in the position of having a much smaller footprint.

“Bearing in mind what happened at the triangle shops when they burned down, yes the insurance paid out, but the council invested significant sums of money to try and get a better solution for the residents.

“It does seem to me a little concerning the council is in a position to say ‘actually we can’t put something towards our insurance repayment to try and get a larger facility there’.”