Cllr Ali Hai (right) and GRASS chairman Keith Stanbury outside Green Lane building which is set to be a community centre

A community centre planned for Goodmayes has been awarded more than £40,000 from Redbridge Council.

Goodmayes Residents Association (GRASS) will use the grant with matched funding from Swan Housing Association to renovate an empty building on the corner of Green Lane and Broomhill Road.

The funding was approved by the council’s cabinet last night.

The Elder House Community Centre will include a hall, computer suites, kitchen, toilets including disabled facilities and an office.

GRASS chairman Keith Stanbury has been trying to set up a community centre with the group since 2011.

He said the £43,776 funding is well-deserved.

He added: “At long last we will have a community centre where local groups can meet and we can look after not only the elderly, but a whole range of interests.”

The association will be holding meetings with local groups to discuss what they would like to use the centre for.

It will also be available to organisations in Seven Kings and Chadwell Heath.

Cllr Ali Hai, an Independent councillor for Goodmayes ward, worked with GRASS to secure the funding.

He said: “There isn’t a facility of this sort in the area so it’s very much welcome.

“It’s a fantastic use of the space and it should be a turning point in regenerating the area.

“It’s a tremendous achievement for everyone involved with the application and the community will decide what’s the best use for the facility.”

Swan Housing owns the flats above the centre and will manage construction work to make the building, which is currently an empty shell, fit for use.

A spokesman said: “From the start it was crucial that the community space could be run and managed in a sustainable manner.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the residents association to get the place kitted out and ready to go.”

Contact GRASS with your ideas at www.goodmayes-residents.org.uk.