Arson attacked bandstand could reopen by March

The rapid reconstruction of a bandstand destroyed in an arson attack could mean it is rebuilt by March, a council has said.

The structure in Harlow's Grade II listed Town Park was torched overnight on 19 September.

Conservative-led Harlow Council vowed to rebuild it and in its planning application, submitted earlier in December, the authority described it as "the jewel of the park".

Dan Swords, the leader of the Essex council, said it would "once again become a centrepiece for major gatherings".

Council planning officers are expected to determine if the rebuild can go ahead in January.

Architectural blueprints showed the new bandstand would have "state-of-the-art acoustics" and be the same shape as its predecessor, which was built in 1973 and was demolished after the fire.

A larger performance space, purpose-built backstage area and three trees were also included in the vision.

Target completion was March, according to the planning bid.

"After the devastating fire that destroyed our much-loved bandstand, we promised not just to rebuild it, but to bring it back better," said Swords, in a statement released last month.

Residents had been consulted on the new design and helped to make it fit for the future, Swords added.

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