A BID to demolish a historic pavilion has been turned down after it was ruled the trust behind the plans had not provided enough evidence to show the building cannot be repaired.

Last week it emerged the Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground Trust had told council bosses it wanted to demolish the pavilion in John Ray Street.

In the bid sent to Braintree Council, the trust said the building is “structurally unsound and the roof is unsealed”.

There were also concerns about the health and safety of squatters using the dilapidated pavilion, which was built in 1927 but is not a listed building.

But a council spokesman said: “We have refused the application on grounds of inadequate information provided to demonstrate that the building couldn’t be repaired and retained.

“The trust has the option of submitting an appeal against this decision or can submit a further application that provides the information needed to show that repairs are not possible.”

Shaun Dedman, one of the trustees, said the group was waiting to hear back from consultants before deciding on their next step.

Mr Dedman said: "We're just waiting to hear back from our consultants on the exact reasons for the council's decision because at the moment it's not too clear.

"We need to wait for that before we can decided what the next step will be."

Meanwhile, the trust are planning an open day at the pavilion in the coming weeks for residents to go along and discuss ideas.

They're hoping to announce the date on the Save Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground Pavilion Facebook page in due course.

The Save Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground Pavilion group said it welcomed the council's decision, but said they understand it may not be possible to save the building in the long run.

In a statement, the campaigners said: “Whatever future planning can sympathetically save or recreate in any plans would be welcome, considering its important local historical nature.

“Now the focus should be to bring the community together to assist the trust to create something offering different opportunities and activities, including sport, that promotes health and well-being, bring local people together and help people to live well.

“We very much look forward to hearing from the trust as to how we can work together to create something the community will be proud of and will be loved by generations to come.”