A building saved from redevelopment for community use could be demolished under new plans.

The future of Witham's former Bridge Hospital is again the subject of controversy. A second application has been received by Braintree Council's planning department for the assembly hall at the former hospital.

The plan is to demolish the hall and replace it with 12 apartments with space for car parking.

Kathie Tearle, district councillor for Witham west (Lab), said: "I understood the assembly hall was for the benefit of the staff and users of the hall. It is for the benefit of the community.

"It would be very sad to see it pulled down.

"I am surprised that there is a planning application on the building. Witham needs as many facilities of this type as possible. I would like to comment further but I will not suggest anything that would compromise my position when it comes to the planning committee."

The former site of the Bridge Hospital was acquired in April 2003 by the property developer Westbury Homes.

As part of the deal the assembly hall was due to remain in community use but for this to happen, Westbury would have to submit a planning application to show its shareholders that it had done everything possible to get best value from the site.

Due to the hall being earmarked for community use in Braintree Council's district plan, this initial application was never likely to succeed.

Published Monday June 14, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette