A FRESH bid to knock down a council building to make way for car parking has been given the green light.

Maldon District Council had recommended initial plans to demolish St Cedds House in Princes Road, Maldon, and build a new car park and access to the site earlier this year for approval.

Embarrassingly, members of the council’s Central Area Planning Committee rejected the plans amid concerns about the new access point on America Street.

But the council then resubmitted a new application, removing the controversial America Street access proposed.

The project has now been given approval by the central area planning committee following a recommendation for approval from planning officers.

The bid was granted approval subject to four conditions.

A report, which went before the committee last month, said: “The proposed demolition of St Cedds, which is currently vacant and in a dilapidated state, is not considered suitable for re-use for employment purposes.

“The creation of additional parking spaces to serve the Maldon District Council offices is not considered to result in demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the locality.”

The prefabricated office building had housed Homestart, Viking Community Transport and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The project was expected to save the council about £27,000 a year.

However, the total cost of the office accommodation project, including opening up additional space at Maldon District Council, creating a hub of community services and the demolition process, would be about £300,000.