EPPING Forest Council remains hopeful that public access can be maintained to Loughton Hall, which is set to be converted into a residential care home.

Corporate support and ICT services portfolio holder Mitch Cohen told Monday's cabinet meeting that the public access request was an "expression of hope".

He told the meeting: "It's a hope and no more than that."

He hoped public access could be allowed on "no less than four occasions per annum".

Epping Liberal Democrat councillor Janet Whitehouse said it was "really disappointing" that public access was not being given, at the moment.

She said visitors to residents at the home would have access and she thought that public access on national Heritage Days would not be impossible.

The district council has lifted a covenant to enable the sale of the Rectory Lane building - which is listed - for use as a residential care home.

Loughton Independent councillor Stephen Murray said: "This is the best we can do to try to secure public access to these rooms and it's a hope that is right to try and secure."