Jay Solder, deputy county director at the Essex Boys and Girls Clubs (EGBC) – an umbrella organisation which secured the grant – said that since the funding was reinstated, a new design team had looked at the original plans before proposing a more cost-effective design, which will include solar panels, disabled access and landscaping to the surrounding land.
“It also gives the club more usable internal space so that they can accommodate a wider range of activities within the building, so that’s a really positive development,” he told the BBC.
Solder added that he was pleased that more local experts were now involved in the project, saying they “have a sense of what the club means to the local community”.
“Some of the design team live within walking distance of the site and so they’re keen to see something not only that is useful but… is visually appealing, as well as meeting the needs of the community,” he said.
Discussions were ongoing with DCMS over whether any additional funding would be required, Solder said, because the original costings were done nearly three years ago.
“The agreement at the moment is we have until 31 March 2027 to complete the project, but what they have also said is they understand that on building projects timings are never fixed, and they’re aware of the situation previously,” he said.
“What they’ve said is that they won’t let this project timeout… and that they are conscious around cost and so are prepared to do whatever they can to support the project and make sure it becomes a reality.”
The BBC understands that a planning application is likely to be submitted by the end of January.