A COMMUNITY hall could be sold within a few years of public money being used to convert part of it into council offices.

Halstead Town Council is planning to temporarily move into Queen’s Hall, on Chipping Hill, despite protests about the loss of the community facility for others.

Money raised from the sale of public toilets, on Chapel Street will be used to convert part of it into town council offices however discussions have already taken place about the building then being sold.

The town council will be forced to leave their current home, Townsford Mill, by next March after the sale of the site.

The town’s leaders are hoping to move into Queen’s Hall and then move out, and into the town’s community centre, once work is completed.

When the community centre plans were granted planning permission in 2015, it was discussed that the town council may sell its assets,when the centre is complete, including both Queen’s Hall and Halstead Library.

It is hoped the council will then be in a better position financially.

Mayor Shirley Diver said: “We are looking to leave a legacy.

“As mayor, and as a town council we are very conscious of what we can do for future councils.

“We want to leave the council in the best position possible, in terms of both finances and assets.”

Conversion work on Queen’s Hall will see the stage removed with a set of offices and a space for Halstead History Society built behind the stage.

The council have not revealed the costs of the work, but have admitted it will be mostly funded by the sale of the toilets in December.

The toilets were closed in 2005 in a cost cutting attempt.