Plans for a new £450,000 Scout and community hall has been given the go-ahead.

The hut earmarked for a field in Clay Hill Road, Basildon, was approved by councillors, despite residents’ fears it would create too much traffic in the surrounding area and host late-night parties.

However, members of the Ninth Basildon Kingswood Scouts are overjoyed.

Group Scout leader Janis Moore, said: “I’m very relieved.

“There is still a lot of fundraising to do, but I have been scouting for more than 30 years and I am determined to fight for this.”

A previous application for the site was rejected by the council earlier this year, after concerns about vehicle access and the quality of the building. These were addressed in changes.

Yet, despite the changes, 39 residents wrote to oppose the plan. Many spoke out at the latest development control meeting.

They said the new hut could attract vandalism and evening gatherings which would be noisy. They also said there was inadequate parking.

Resident John Pumfrett said: “It just seems like every piece of green land is going, and once they are gone they are gone for good.”

The need for a new building came after the old one was was destroyed in an arson attack. The council did not renew the scout group’s lease on the building in Deepdene, as it wanted to sell the site to help fund the council’s Sporting Village scheme.

The Scout group has had to hire a hall off Long Riding, Basildon. The group has some insurance money from the blaze, but still needs to raise £220,000 for the new build.

Councillor Phil Rackley blamed tensions between the scouts and residents on the council, for moving the scouts from their former home.

He called for a new building on the former site to be considered, although committee chairman Stephen Hillier said members could only consider the plans before them.

Mrs Moore has now said her group will be applying for grants as well as fundraising.

Anyone interested in donating can call Mrs Moore on 01268 726953 or Helen Cambridge on 01268 451125.