WORK on the new multi-million pound Paddocks Community Centre could start in a year, according to a council boss.

The controversial plans for the popular centre will see the current building demolished and a new one built despite huge opposition from islanders.

Norman Smith, Tory leader of Castle Point Council, said: “We have gone out to look for architects on the market.

“We need to make sure that we get the right person who specialises in community centres, to make sure we get what we want.

“I think we will be building in one year.

“The current hall is past its sell by date so we want to get it sorted as soon as possible.

“Obviously we will be consulting residents the whole way through.”

Furious islanders say nothing good can come out of a new community centre.

They argue it would be more efficient to overhaul the existing centre rather than demolishing it and rebuilding the new one.

Some 8,000 people have signed a petition against the proposals.

Linda Norton, 65, a member of the Save the Paddocks Campaign group slammed Mr Smith.

She said: “I think what they are doing is disgusting.

“They are not listening to residents at all.

“It will cost far less to refurbish the Paddocks.

“Everyone on the island agrees with me; we’ve got a petition going with 8,000 signatures and we’ve not even done all the island yet.

“It is a big deal on Canvey.”

She added: “I cannot see how anything positive can come out of this.

“How can anything positive come out of demolishing a hall?”

Fellow islander Beryl Cox, 60, added: “We can’t make it any clearer; we don’t want a new hall.

“The whole island is fuming about this and what they are doing.

“To me it just doesn’t make any sense at all.”

In October last year, it was agreed that building a new Paddocks would be the preferred option, rather than regenerating the current site.

The decision surrounding the future of the centre has seen campaigners demonstrate outside the council’s offices in Kiln Road, Benfleet, in favour of a revamp.

In a report published by the council, bosses say a refurbishment of the hall would cost £4.1million, just £200,000 less than demolishing and replacing the building entirely.

A public consultation on the proposals ended last month.

The public consultation, launched in December and finishing last month, garnered more than 600 responses, with 540 of them coming from Canvey residents.

Plans show the centre is set to be self-sufficient with a licensed bar and cafe.