PASSIONATE residents have formed an action committee to save a community hall which had been earmarked for demolition.

Rev Diane Ricketts, vicar of St Nicholas Church, Laindon, is heading a new Paddocks Community Association set up to save the Paddock Community Hall, in Pound Lane recreation ground, Laindon.

The building was scheduled to be sold off, along with other community assets, by Basildon Council to help fund the £38million Sporting Village, in Gloucester Park, Basildon.

However, campaigners fought against the sale of the property, its car park and playground to make way for 23 homes and the planning application was withdrawn.

Residents from the community association have already met with Laindon’s Tory councillors and hope to finalise a lease agreement with the council.

Mrs Ricketts said: “We held a meeting inside the hall and were encouraged to find it is actually still in pretty good condition, considering it’s been closed for so long.

“We would like it to be used by everybody across the age range. There might be mother and baby groups, after school clubs and all sorts of hobby clubs like flower arranging. We would also welcome birthday parties, wedding receptions and baptism parties.

“It should be a facility where the community can come together and enjoy themselves.”

She added the plan is to re-open the hall, which has been closed for around a year, before the end of 2011.

The community association plans to apply for charitable status, so it can raise money for the hall’s maintenance.

Frank Tomlin, Tory councillor for Laindon Park, hopes the council will carry out necessary structural repairs in the coming months. He said: There are so many groups that need somewhere to meet, this would be ideal.”