Residents have started a campaign to save a historic pavilion from demolition.

A planning application has been submitted by Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground Trust to knock down the pavilion at the Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground, in John Ray Street.

However residents have started a Facebook page calling for it to be saved for future generations.

Braintree resident Aidan Kelly set up the page.

He said: “I have lived here since 2001 and I am over at the recreation ground coaching or refereeing football games for youngsters.

“I have seen the state of the building and how it has been left like that over the years.

“It is one of the last structures left by William Julien Courtauld and it really should be saved.”

Residents have so far submitted ten objections to the plans on Braintree Council’s planning portal.

Mr Kelly said: “It should be enough to make the application go to committee.

“Cost will be a big factor in what to do with it, but I believe firstly they need to do a proper inspection of the building before deciding it cannot be saved.

“I would like to see at least some original features, such as the clock tower on the building, be saved.

“I would also like to meet with the trustees and have a meeting with them to discuss their views.”

Mr Kelly has contacted Braintree MP James Cleverly and Essex County councillor Stephen Canning.

Councillor Andrew Hensman (Conservative, Braintree Central and Beckers Green) is supporting residents in their campaign.

He said: “As a member for the adjacent ward, which borders this facility, I and many of my residents use its amenities and have expressed concerns over the potential disappearance of a major part of the landscape.

“It is also alarming to see a building of such high local significance and historical importance to have already fallen into a serious state of disrepair that there would be no other option than to demolish it.”

Mr Hensman has worked on a successful renovation projects nearby, and does not believe the pavilion is past the point of repair.

He said he believed it could be turned into an “asset which the district can be proud of”.

Last week the Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground Trust told The Times the pavilion was not “fit for purpose” saying they would look to replace it in the future.

The pavilion, along with the Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground, were donated to residents of the district in 1927 by William Julien Courtauld.

The trust could not be contacted for comment. Visit http://bit.ly/2hJ56TR.