Please can we have cash for our garden?

Neighbours packed a meeting at Ghyllgrove School, to tell Basildon councillors they wanted some of the cash spent on a garden at Barnett Bears Nursery, next to the school, in Dewlands, Basildon.

Family Mosaic Housing is giving the money to the area in return for planning permission for a new development.

It wants to build one four-bedroom and five two-bedroom houses, and a two-storey block of four flats, all on the site of the old Milford Hall Community Centre, in Butneys, Basildon.

The council closed the community centre in September 2005 after the building was condemned because its leaky roof was collapsing.

Residents said the nursery, which operated in the Milford Hall for 41 years, before being forced to move in 2005, was a worthy cause.

The meeting considered several suggestions for the best ways to spend the money.

Pat Cawley, who lives in Gay Links, said: “Our children have grown up, but they all went to that nursery.

“The money should go there.”

Sarah Gutsell, of Barnett Bears Nursery, said the nursery had been left to raise £280,000 to build its new base, which had finally opened last year.

“It still needed about £20,000 to complete its garden.

Mrs Gutsell, the nursery’s business manager, said: “Parents have already started fundraising for the garden and we have about £1,000, but it would be a big help.

“It’s really nice to think everyone thought of us.”

Other ideas suggested at the meeting for a share of the money included improving children’s playgrounds at Pomfret Mead and Landermere, and putting up better fences at the George Hurd Centre.

The council will now consider residents’ responses before finally deciding where it should be spent.

Phil Rackley, ward member for St Martin’s, who chaired the meeting, said: “It’s all about local councillors listening to what the people are telling us.

“We will be making a strong case on behalf of the residents about how the money should be spent in the Ghyllgrove area.”