Campaigners say community groups in Brentwood have been left homeless following Essex County Council’s plan to close their local hall.
Bishops Hill Adult Community Learning College is due to close at the end of July, marking the end of 118 years of education at the venue.
The Bishops Hill Action Group, which has launched a petition to keep it open, says nothing has been done to help the numerous community groups that have also been using the facility for years.
Among those are the 500 members of Hutton u3a, which holds its monthly meetings in the historic hall and uses some of the classrooms for group meetings.
The Brentwood Busketeers singing group also holds its weekly rehearsal in the hall. The Busketeers say they raise large amounts of money to support local charities.
A statement from the Bishops Hill Action Group said: “Essex County Council has thought fit to significantly reduce the opportunities for the residents of Hutton and Shenfield.
“Nobody has been consulted about the closure."
The hall has been teaching people since February 1907, when 600 children arrived at the Hutton Residential Training School and Children’s Home.
The changes follow recent government changes to funding for adult community learning (ACL) and Essex County Council’s plans to introduce a revised curriculum, with courses focused on supporting wellbeing and people into employment, in September.
Instead of lessons at Bishops Hill, a new network of ACL venues across Brentwood, is being introduced, which will include Brentwood Town Hall, Brentwood Library, St Peter’s Church, Hutton Community Centre and the Walter Boyce Centre in Warley.
A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “We acknowledge the concerns raised by the Bishops Hill Action Group regarding the future of the Bishops Hill site.
“The building we own has primarily been used to deliver ACL services, with some external groups hiring the space on a rental basis.
“While no final decision has been made about the site’s future, we understand the impact this may have on those groups.
“We encourage affected groups to explore alternative venues locally, and we are happy to signpost to relevant contacts or organisations that may be able to assist.
"We remain committed to keeping the community informed as plans develop.”
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