A £3.6 million scheme may see accommodation created for key workers next to St John’s Church in Epping.

Epping Forest District councillors will consider committing £3,692,023 to the scheme and progressing to the planning phase at a cabinet meeting next week.

The plan to build between eight and ten flats is being spearheaded by the church, who approached the council asking for their partnership in the scheme.

The joint project would also see the development of a community hall below the flats in a three - four storey building.

The church was granted planning consent in 2015 to construct a two-story community hall to the side of the historic church building.

The cost of undertaking the project was found not to be feasible and at the start of this year, the council was approached by the church to discuss the appetite for engaging in a joint project to provide both a community facility and residential accommodation.

Council documents state it was St John’s Church leaders who stipulated their desire for the accommodation to be ringfenced for key workers.

A council report lays out three possible plans. One proposal is comprised of ten flats – three one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom – with community space in three or four storeys.

Another proposal outlined in the report details plans for a community hall and eight flats – two one-bedroom and six two-bedroom – in a three-storey building.

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