A BUSINESS plan is set to be drawn up to build a new Canvey community centre, despite calls from residents and councillors to preserve the former site.

The Paddocks, on Long Road, has proved a hot topic on the island in recent months with residents urging the council to save the site.

But a feasibility study conducted by the council has branded the site beyond repair and outdated.

The study also highlighted space is available to the south east of the site for a new centre.

And at a council meeting on Wednesday night, councillors voted to continue to investigate the possibility of constructing a new community centre, directly next door to the Paddocks, and begin to draw up a business plan for the site.

The council hope that the former Paddocks site would remain open during the construction of the new site, limiting disruption, and would then be demolished once the new site is in full use.

Although the plans were approved at the meeting, a number of councillors stated they would prefer to see the original site refurbished, and called for more communication with the island’s residents.

Councillor Dave Blackwell said: “Canvey people do look upon the Paddocks as something special and we all know that.

“I think the big issue is that there has been a lack of real planned maintenance over the years, not just the last few years, over a number of years.

“The issue we do have is communication, we are not good at it and should be doing more.

“What we should do before we make any decision, we should go on a fact finding mission to the people of Canvey and see what they think.

“There is nothing worse than just telling residents what will happen.”

A new community hall could include a reception area, cafe, kitchen and serving area, as well as one large hall, or three smaller halls.

Councillor John Anderson, Canvey Town Mayor, said: “The important thing with the Paddocks is that its been left unmaintained for six years.

“The present building needs to be renovated and not knocked down.

“This item needs to be transparent, its too important to the people of Canvey. Its the centre of Canvey, its the hub of Canvey.”

A report ahead of the meeting said: “The conclusion of feasibility work reveals that the Paddocks Community Centre building has reached the end of its design life and is beyond economic repair.

“Operationally, the facility has limited flexibility, does not meet modern hire requirements, is energy inefficient and costly to run and it suffers from periodic recurrent anti- social behaviour.”