A “VITAL” new community centre could be on the cards, depending on the outcome of a feasibility study.

Town councillors have talked about a much-needed community centre for Halstead since 1980. The study will be completed by September.

Former Halstead mayor Kate Little, who runs the Jackson School of Dancing, said a community centre was “vital” for the town.

She had to relocate her group to Halstead Town Football Club, in Rosemary Lane, when Priory Hall, in Colchester Road, closed in 2005.

She said: “There’s a real need for a community centre. We haven’t got anything here to serve everyone.

“We’ve got Brownies, Scouts and art groups scattered all over the place, and they should be under one roof, with decent facilities.

“Other towns have got centres, and it’s time Halstead had something.”

Graham Butland, leader of Braintree Council, said the study would look at land and buildings in Halstead, owned by Halstead Town Council, Essex County Council and Braintree District Council.

This would include the Butler Road car park and Queens Hall, in Chipping Hill, owned by the town council, and the senior citizens’ centre, in New Street, owned by the district council.

Mr Butland said the study was at an early stage, but called for all the information to be put on the table so it can be decided if any area could be used more effectively.

He added: “I can’t clarify what could potentially happen with these buildings and the car park. It could be that a centre is built on the car park.

“Several ideas may come out of the study and go out to public consultation. The whole point of a feasibility study is to look at all the options.”