A PARENT helping to run a new children’s group in Braintree has expressed concerns over the future of a former respite centre building which suddenly closed.

PARC Essex, in Great Notley, was a children’s play and resource centre for the community.

The registered charity provided play and recreation facilities for children and young adults with additional needs and short respite care for their families and carers.

However, shockwaves were felt throughout the community when it was revealed PARC was forced to close last June.

Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years Beverley Egan said at the time PARC was “no longer able to deliver their contract” with Essex County Council.

Following the closure, POP Essex was created by parents who used to use PARC’s services, working to fill the void left by the sudden closure of the centre.

Matt Carr and wife Jamey from are two of the many driving forces behind POP.

Mr Carr said: “The sessions are going well, families are enjoying our sessions, Christmas was really good and we had lots of new people registering.

“POP on its own is good, we even have people offering to donate more funds to us to help our services.

“Whatever we are doing, it is working well and word is getting around, and I am happy with it all.”

However, after running the sessions from the Braintree Mencap building for a number of months, Matt is hoping to move the sessions over to the old PARC centre, which is still unused.

He said: “The niggling thing for us is we are very restricted with venues, the Mencap building is fine but we only have access on a Saturday.

“They also cannot guarantee storage, so Jamey takes it all in and cleans it all up at the end of the day.

“The PARC building used to be booked out and now it is just sitting not being used.

“You have a purpose-built facility rotting away and the longer it stays empty the more has to be done to get it up to scratch.

“I have had conversations with PARC and Braintree Council and both are pushing us back and forth between each other.

“If we can book the premises a couple of times per week, we could pay for it, we can use the storage and put on more sessions on for families.

“It would help us, and so many more, it is a service that really eases pressure on people, and it just feels there is always an obstacle stopping this from happening.”

Braintree Council has provided an update on the future of the centre.

A council spokesman said: “Since the closure of PARC Essex in the summer of last year, Braintree Council has been keen to establish whether PARC will continue to operate from their current premises or not. 

“As owner of the building PARC had been operating from, the council has a responsibility to PARC as it’s tenant and has to operate within the Landlord and Tenant Act that protects PARC’s rights through its current and active lease. 

“The council is therefore not in a position to take control of the building until PARC has formally notified us of what they want to do about their current lease.

“Braintree Council is very supportive of all charities and charitable organisations in our district and the amazing work they do, particularly during this very difficult time. 

“We are aware how devastating the loss of the services provided by PARC has been for many families, and how difficult it has been for the families to find an alternative provision, but unfortunately at this stage we are unable to offer the building to any alternative providers until we are clear on the current tenant’s position.”