Moulsham Lodge Centre set to stay as public hall!

3.46.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Sep 2009

Stephen Robinson, Ros Webb, Cllrs. David Jones and Philip Firth and members of the Moulsham Lodge Action Group outside the abandoned community centre

The Government's planning inspector has backed Chelmsford Liberal Democrats and Moulsham Lodge campaigners, who all want to stop Essex County Council selling off the community centre as a private clinic. The inspector has today published his appeal decision, which says the building should be retained as a public hall.

In his three page judgement, the inspector recognised the strength of public support for keeping the centre. Many people wrote in to the Inspector following a leaflet from the Moulsham Lodge Centre Action Group together with a letter from local Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson.

The Inspector also acknowledged the hard work by the Action Group in drawing up a comprehensive business plan to give the building a secure future as a community facility.

Commenting on the decision, Stephen Robinson said, "It has been great to work with such an enthusiastic group of local people. There is still some way to go before we can be confident that Essex County Council will give Moulsham Lodge Community Centre back to the community. However, this is a very important step towards that aim."

Related Links:

Download a copy of the Inspector's Appeal decision.

Website of the Moulsham Lodge Community Centre Action Group.