A NURSERY burnt down in a fire four years ago is set to return to its former home.

Busy Bees Nursery was forced to move into temporary accommodation in Elizabeth Court, Laindon after a fire destroyed a community centre.

Now plans have been submitted to demolish and reconstruct the destroyed Markhams Chase Play Centre, Laindon Link.

Basildon Council submitted the plans for the works, to Basildon Council.

The plans include a fenced outdoor area surrounding a new grassed area, a new car park and a new fire door to the rear of Bluehouse Farm Community Centre, along with general refurbishment works internally.

Donna Surridge, manager at the nursery said: “This is great news for us and the children, although we do like where we are at present and are thankful to the council for letting us use our present hall.

“It will be great to move back to where we were and to have an outside space which will be very beneficial to the children.

“We have very exciting times ahead.”

A new car park with 17 parking spaces would also be built as part of the plans.

The centre was previously used, before the fire, as a play centre for young children, and the aim is to continue providing this service.

Several other community groups lost out when the fire gutted the centre The pre-school had been at the community centre in various forms for more than 40 years.

However, in April 2014 the Echo reported Basildon Council refused to pay to allow the much-loved Busy Bees nursery, to rise from the ashes.

Instead, the council offered space in a revamped Bluehouse Farm Community Centre.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “Subject to planning approval, Busy Bees Nursery will be moving back into Markhams Chase Play Centre once building work is complete.”

The original Markhams Chase Play Centre was next to another community space called Bluehouse Farm Community Centre.

The council is expected to make a decision on whether to approve the application in July.