PLANS to convert a historic pub into a religious centre have been withdrawn over the Covid-19 outbreak, the owners claim.

South Essex Islamic Trust has removed its proposals to develop the former Barge Inn, in High Road, Vange into a culture centre.

The trust [SEIT] say it could not meet demands and reassurances needed by Basildon Council.

The Echo understands these issues were over parking and noise control, but neither the charity or authority was able to confirm this.

A charity spokesman said: “SEIT has reluctantly decided to withdraw its planning application to enable us to respond to the council’s recent requests for further information.

“Due to Covid-19, it would not have been possible to supply this within the timescales allowed for by the council and we shall be making a further application with the additional reports to provide the additional information requested.”

A council spokesman said: “During consideration of the Barge Inn planning application we identified some concerns with the application, and of their own accord the applicant took the decision to withdraw the application.

“The council’s officers have no further information about the owner’s plans for this site.”

Last month the council was granted more time to consider the plans due to concerns about noise and parking.

South Essex Islamic Trust purchased the inn and began fundraising for £250,000 to cover the full cost of the site.

The old pub was sold for £450,000 at auction by Savills in September, for more than double the £200,000 guide price.

The pub has been empty for almost five years after it shut in 2015. It had been operating at the site for 200 years, but borough historians believe the building could be up to 400-years-old.

The site was owner by Geraldine Evans, and her family ran the pub for 70 years.