CAMPAIGNERS stood their ground in a furious protest against plans to knock down council offices and build homes in the middle of a conservation area.

Rochford Council has proposed to knock down its Civic Suite in the heart of Rayleigh and build homes in its place, as part of the wider regeneration programme.

In the latest setback, on Friday protesters held placards and performed speeches in the gardens to the rear of the building, which features the council chamber, The gardens will also be built on.

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Janet Mansbridge, 63, from Rayleigh, said: “The Civic Suite gardens are a really beautiful part of our Rayleigh Conservation area.

“In the afternoon children from FitzWimarc School assemble in these gardens where they can wait in safety for their bus home.

“Building in this spot will create a real safety hazard for local children. The building is centre of democracy here, it’s part of Rayleigh’s identity.

“This will be irreversible, once the building and garden is gone, it’s gone.”

As part of the regeneration programme, a public consultation was carried out on the Civic Suite plans. 89 per cent of respondents opposed the proposals.

As it stands, Rochford Council appears to be ploughing on regardless.

Mrs Mansbridge added: “What’s ironic is that this is part of the council’s designated conservation rea, which they are pledged to protect.

“They’re now planning to build on it, it makes no sense.

“Many people are asking why don’t the Council simply move to the Civic Suite?

“Since Covid we have seen more remote working and less office space being needed by many organisations.

“Refurbishing the Civic Suite would seem to be the obvious choice for new council offices in the heart of Rayleigh.”

The campaigners aim to mimic the Save the Mill Hall campaign, which has managed to push the council back on plans to demolish the building.

The existing plans would have seen the building flattened, and replaced with a smaller centre and homes. Bosses have promised that homes will no longer form part of the plan.

A spokesman from Rochford Council, said, “The proposals were made public at the beginning of the year, and were subject to a comprehensive engagement process. 

"The feedback received during that process was made public at the end of June 2021.

"The views of the residents and stakeholders that participated in the engagement process have been gathered and the council and its partner GB Partnerships are reflecting accordingly on that feedback.

"No planning application has yet been made as yet for the Civic Suite site.

"The proposals for the Asset Delivery Programme can be seen at the Voyage website https://www.voyage-partnership.co.uk/ and this will of course continue to be updated as the programme develops.”