No immediate answers are being offered to residents living around the former St Charles site as they wait to hear what the Home Office plans for its future.
Almost a month after plans to establish a Secure Training Centre were scrapped the Home Office said it is still considering its options.
Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles is continuing to press for a meeting with a government minister to highlight residents' concerns and push for a more appropriate redevelopment of the site.
Meanwhile, Brentwood Council has also contacted the Home Office to try to ensure it is kept fully informed and involved in any discussions.
Mr Pickles said he was optimistic that he would have the opportunity to speak directly to a member of the government and added: "We are continuing to press for a meeting, but I have to stress that this saga is likely to go on for weeks rather than days."
Speculation over the future of the site has rumbled on since the YJB concluded the Brentwood scheme was 'not cost effective' because of the high staff salaries and premium rate building costs it would have involved."
Residents have expressed hopes the site can now be redeveloped for housing including homes for key workers and new community facilities.
The Home Office has not confirmed any plans and has not ruled out disposing of the land. It initially indicated a decision would be taken by September, but now it has said no timetable is in place for determining what to do with the land.
Published Thursday July 29, 2004
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