PITSEA bingo hall was not damaged beyond repair when it was struck by a major fire, it has been revealed.

The hall was hit by arsonists just weeks after Basildon Council announced it was planning legal action against the owners – with an order served forcing them to bring the dilapidated bingo hall up to scratch.

The attack saw a major emergency services operation take place – with the size of the blaze suggesting the building may be beyond repair.

But investigations have revealed the main structural elements of the building have not been damaged and the council continues to be in touch with the owners over the repairs – and have not ruled out pushing for a development on the site.

But residents are keen to see the issue resolved once and for all – even if that means the hall is demolished for housing.

Simon Taylor, 57, of Rectory Road, said: “It has just gone on for far too long and something has to change.

“It is an eyesore and there is a lot going on in the town centre, but you have this big empty building looking awful.

“And now it’s a burnt out shell.

“It can’t be left like that for any amount of time so restore it, knock it down, just do something.

“Everyone always slams all these new homes and flats or whatever, and you don’t really want it in the town centre, but it would be better than this.”

Major concerns have been raised over the site for months, with fears over the poor condition of the building, as well as the possible presence of asbestos.

In a report sent to Basildon Council, it states: “Officers from the council’s planning enforcement team have written to the owners serving a S215 notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

“The notice requires the owners to undertake works to improve the property. Subsequent to the notice being issued, there was a fire at the property.

“Officers from the council’s building control team inspected the property after the fire and advised that the main structural elements of the building appeared not to be damaged.”

It adds: “Officers are continuing to engage with the owners of the building to either see necessary repairs undertaken to bring it back into use, or to explore options for development.”