A CAMPAIGN started about 25 years ago has finally achieved success, as Springfield looks set to get a new library.

Springfield residents and the parish council started a campaign in the Eighties for a library in north Chelmsford and Essex County Council is set to make the dream a reality this year.

There is further good news for the whole borough as £1million in grants is set to be spent on more than a dozen community projects.

Barbara Larken, Springfield Parish clerk, said: “The parish council started campaigning a very long time ago and was disappointed to miss out on a grant in 2007.

“Now the county council has put the work out to tender and chosen a contractor.”

Pam Lane, parish councillor, said she was “thrilled to bits” with the extension of the parish centre, in St Augustine’s Way, which will provide a new library and community centre.

Work could start in the summer holidays.

More than £1million has also been secured from ECC and the Olympic legacy fund to help bring other projects in the borough to fruition.

Schemes include: A new headquarters for South Woodham Ferrers Girl Guides, refurbishment and extension of Broomfield’s David Smith Memorial Hall, repairs at Writtle Bowling Club, a grant towards a skate park project in South Woodham Ferrers, improvements to Chelmer Village community hall and redevelopment of the Chelmsford YMCA branch Chelmsford Council will also receive £92,500 of Olympic cash which will be used to provide outdoor gyms in Andrews Park and Central Park.

The facilities will be free to use and offer residents the opportunity to try a range of sports and activities with the aim of increasing participation in sport and improving health.

Christopher Kingsley, councillor responsible for parks and heritage, said: “We are delighted local people will be able to benefit from two free, permanent, all-year-round Olympic legacy facilities in two of the borough’s popular parks.”

Groups can now apply for cash from next year’s grant allocations.

Visit www.essex.gov.uk/bigsocietyfund to find out more, or call 01245 437887.