Brentwood Council could spend as much as £70,000 to demolish an empty community hall. 

A report published by the authority said Herongate Village Hall has been in a state of dilapidation for a number of years.

The building started to deteriorate after it ceased being actively used around 2006, the council added, when it is believed a charity trust stopped operating the hall.

The council says it could cost £70,000 to knock down but around £200,000 for a renovation. That option has been recognised as unlikely and a date is set to agree a cut off.

The issue was discussed by the authority's asset, projects and strategy committee on November 13.

Councillor Gareth Barrett, the committee's chairman, said: “We have a building that is declining and although unsafe to occupy isn’t at the current time expected to fall but we cannot guarantee its quality going forward.

“A managed demolition is the most appropriate way for us to manage this building going forward, so we were looking to set a date for that rather than just wait for it to fall down, which is the alternative.”

He said the council plans to offer an opportunity for the community to come up with a plan albeit “there isn’t necessarily a high likelihood for it”.

He said: “Our intent is to give opportunity but we do recognise it is a very narrow window. We have to get to a point of demolition because the building is unsafe to occupy and may become unsafe more widely.

"It is by a highway and near a place for children to play (so) it is appropriate for us to take these steps.”