Recently, we brought you news of an arson attack on a former Gala Bingo hall in Pitsea, Essex and now we have an update on the building itself. The damage to the building was not deemed damaged beyond repair and this is despite a major fire breaking out. More than six fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, a hazardous response team and more than 10 police cars attended the blaze a few weeks ago.
Just weeks after Basildon Council announced that it planned to enforce legal action on the owner of the building, an arson attack took place. The order served to the owners will force them into bringing the dilapidated bingo hall back to its former glory.
Get on With It:
Fire investigators have concluded in a report that the main structural elements of the building were not damaged in the blaze. The council are still in contact with the owners of the building over the numerous repairs that are now needed on top of the pre-existing concerns and Basildon Council are yet to rule out whether they are pushing for a redevelopment of the entire site.
The poor condition of the former bingo site had been a topic of conversation within the council for many months leading up to the arson attack , so too were asbestos concerns. A report submitted to Basildon Council stated: “Officers from the council’s planning enforcement team have written to the owners serving a S215 notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The notice requires the owners to undertake works to improve the property. Subsequent to the notice being issued, there was a fire at the property.”
The report continued: “Officers from the council’s building control team inspected the property after the fire and advised that the main structural elements of the building appeared not to be damaged. Officers are continuing to engage with the owners of the building to either see necessary repairs undertaken to bring it back into use, or to explore options for development.”
Change is Needed:
Residents are naturally keen to see the issue surrounding the building resolved and they are still waiting to hear whether there were toxic building materials such as asbestos within the structure of the building. Concerned resident; Simon Taylor of Rectory Road, said: “It has just gone on for far too long and something has to change. It is an eyesore and there is a lot going on in the town centre, but you have this big empty building looking awful.”
He continued: “And now it’s a burnt-out shell. It can’t be left like that for any amount of time so restore it, knock it down, just do something. Everyone always slams all these new homes and flats or whatever, and you don’t really want it in the town centre, but it would be better than this.”
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