A HISTORIC barn, once classified as a listed building, has finally been bulldozed to make way for new homes.

Work to flatten the former Billericay School farm barn marks the final chapter in the 400-year-old building’s life.

The barn, located on land off Noak Hill Road, Billericay, was the focus of years of arguments.

Campaigners battled to stop it from being destroyed, as part of a development for up to 70 homes.

The ten-acre farm site, where the barn stood for four centuries, was once a thriving educational haven for Billericay School pupils, boasting livestock and farm animals.

In 1991, it looked as though the barn would be safe when it was designated a Grade II listed building, meaning it would be protected from any development.

However, the status was later removed and plans to knock it down were approved.

Adam Henderson, 73, of Billericay, worked at the barn for 13 years, as a stockman and gardener.

He was upset to see the building being flattened.

Mr Henderson said: “I went past it on the bus and saw they were destroying it. It was just such a sad sight.

“We campaigned for so long to save it and now it’s gone.

“The barn could have been used to do so much.

“It could have been a heritage centre or some kind of educational place for youngsters to visit.

“It’s a sad day indeed.”

Billericay School sold the farm site to developer, Banner Homes, for £5.5million.

The sale of the land has helped Billericay School redevelop its main buildings and to build extensions.

Peter Tucker, 63, of Billericay, led a ten-year campaign to save the barn.

He added: “It’s so sad. This barn was an important piece of local history.

“It was used to teach rural studies to pupils at the school for generations. So many youngsters had a wonderful time there, but now it’s gone for ever.

“The school could have kept it and turned it into a thriving educational farm again.”