A new Scouting centre of excellence is to be built on Canvey, after councillors agreed the proposal.

Councillors at Castle Point Borough Council supported the scheme which will see a new centre on the King George V Playing Fields.

The centre, costing £100,000, will be home to the 4th Canvey Island Sea Scout group, which will use it as its headquarters.

The building, leased from the council, would also be a district scouting centre, for all the Scout and Guide groups in the area.

Councillor Dennis Williams welcomed the idea. He said: "This has been going on for a considerable amount of time now. This particular group has been discussing the proposals with other groups in the area, the vast majority of which are happy with the idea.

"We should fully welcome something like this. This group have raised enormous amounts of money and will be financing the building themselves.

"It is good to see something like this taking off. It has been in the wilderness for far too long."

The centre will include an information area including details on all Scout and Guide groups and activities in Castle Point and will be available for use as a base for district scouting activities and training courses.

Deputy Council leader, Dave Wells agreed with councillor Williams. He said: "Let us take a positive move on this.

"It's been hanging around for two years now. Let's just go for it."

The Scouts will move into the new building, which will replace the derelict site on the playing fields, from their present one at the Tewkes Pavillion.

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