Merrymeade to get long-awaited facelift

Councillors have given the OK to a £2.4million upgrade of a historic building.

Merrymeade House, in Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, will be refurbished and transformed into a mixed use development of nine flats and community rooms.

An agreement between Brentwood Council and Circle Anglia housing has secured the long-awaited transformation of the grade II listed building.

Members of the council's planning development control committee gave the green light to the project.

Ross Carter (Lib Dems, Brentwood North) said: "I do feel that Merrymeade House, as far as Brentwood North is concerned, is the jewel in the crown.

"I feel it would be a dreadful opportunity to miss and this gets my full support."

Mr Carter also added that bringing the building back in use would possibly alleviate antisocial behaviour problems in the area.

It was confirmed that 56 parking spaces will be available, two of which will be for disabled users.

Brentwood Council acquired the Edwardian house from Anglia Polytechnic University in 1999 but a series of setbacks has meant that development has not taken place.

Last year Brentwood Council discussed selling off the Old House in Shenfield Road and moving groups that use it into Merrymeade House, which angered several residents.

However, no definite decision has been made.