THE demolition of a former Southend college is facing fresh delays after a huge amount of asbestos was found on the site, costing an extra £464,000 to remove.

The site of the old Futures Community College in Southchurch Boulevard, Southend, is earmarked for a large homes development.

However, work has now hit a stumbling block after asbestos “significantly greater than identified” was found ahead of the site being bulldozed.

An initial survey had failed to uncover the severity of the problem.

Council bosses also need to find an extra £464,000 from its budget to get the project off the ground.

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The setback follows delays because of an accident involving a demolition worker last July.

Shannon Brasier, 20, from Dagenham, was left with head and facial injuries during the incident, resulting in an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council said: “Work stopped during the health and safety investigation causing delays and now the asbestos issue is causing delays.

“We have to be very careful with this. It has to be removed very carefully and safely. These things pop up and it has increased the cost of the demolition.”

He added: The site will be redeveloped and these costs will be recouped from that.

“We are not sure yet whether it will be a council led development. It’s council land but officers don’t have the experience to do these kind of developments so they normally get people to do it. It might be done under Southend’s housing company but then a developer will be brought in from outside.”