BUILDING work has started on a Jehovah’s Witnesses headquarters on the outskirts of Chelmsford.

It is being created by the International Bible Students Association, the charity which manages Jehovah’s Witnesses’ printing and literature distribution.

The 82-acre site (the size of about 15 football pitches) is at Temple Farm, off Ship Road, West Hanningfield.

The plans include a print works producing Biblebased literature, administration and language translation offices, video and sound production studios, an auditorium, training centre, new roundabout and access road from the B1007 and workshops.

Hundreds of workers have helped to clean up the site, removing tonnes of debris, contaminated soil and discarded tyres.

Work began this week, starting with the demolition of derelict structures.

Preparation for site support offices and a welfare facility is currently under way on the former Akehurst Tyres site, which will oversee the management of the scheme and the needs of the construction workers assisting with the project.

A newsletter about the project says: “The completed project has been designed to complement the beautiful Essex landscape.

“We would like to thank all our new neighbours who have supported these plans thus far, and it is our hope that this development will prove to be beneficial to the local community in various ways.”

A spokesman for the project was really delighted with how things were progressing.

He added: “We are really pleased.

“The plans will enhance the surroundings in this area, one of the most beautiful part of Essex.”