A community centre will be demolished and five homes built in its place.

Basildon Council applied to build homes on the site after stating the centre, in Glenmere, Vange, was underused and in a poorly cared for state.

Glenmere Community Hall is owned by Basildon Council, and planning permission was granted on Wednesday.

The site has been used by the community for many years but has fallen out of use in recent years.

Ukip councillor Derrick Fellows, whose Nethermayne ward encompasses the community centre, said: “It wasn’t being used at all, and it had fallen into a state of disrepair.

“It is a very good development for the whole borough, it will provide some of the homes that we need, particularly two bed homes in high demand, with two parking spaces at each house. It more than meets the council’s standards for developments and it is good news all round.

“I was very pleased to see the application go through and it will make good use of a completely unused site.”

The council voted in favour of the development. The application stated: “The existing building is reaching the end of its life and is in poor condition.

“Basildon Council is seeking to replace the venue to provide high-quality new homes for the residents of the borough.”

Permission was granted to build four two bedroom homes, and one three bedroom home.

The homes will be available under a shared ownership scheme.

Prior to the application, a public consultation was carried out with residents. Concerns were raised over the lack of parking, and as a result, Basildon Council committed to the proposal of two extra dwellings in favour of additional parking.

There are currently eight garages on the site, which will also be demolished, while 14 parking bays will be installed.

Four of the garages are leased by the council but are considered to be in poor repair and too small for a modern vehicle.

In regards to the loss of the former community centre, alternative facilities are available at St Chads Church Hall, and Gordon Hall, in Clay Hill Road, both within 1.1 kilometres of the site.

No affordable housing contribution was asked for on the new homes site.