A NEW wedding venue is set to open in the Dengie after plans were given the green light.

An application was approved last night at a Maldon District Council planning committee meeting to turn part of Southminster Hall into a wedding venue.

The Cooper family, who own Southminster Hall, want to turn part of its building into a ceremony room for funding to carry out "much-needed" works on the property.

The applicants' agent said: "The main driver behind this project is the need to generate an income to fund the much-needed repairs and refurbishment."

It would also provide a job opportunity for the younger members of the family farming business, the agent said.

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"There is a lot of interest in this property as a wedding venue as trends move towards more unique venues and marquee-type venues," she added.

The plans also include an added marquee, outbuildings to be converted into overnight accommodation, outdoor toilet facilities, and parking.

It was given approval for a temporary period of two years to "give the opportunity" for the use of the site as a wedding venue to "be assessed".

The hall will be having an open day "very soon".

For more information on the brand new wedding venue visit southminsterhall.co.uk.