SEH French unveil £4m new community centre in Essex

People living in an Essex town now have access to a state-of-the-art new community centre following its construction by SEH French.

We were proud to unveil the new Witham Community Centre at its official opening in September, giving local councillors a tour of the £4m facility.

It has been designed as a community hub, home to local sports teams and offering a bright and welcoming space for social clubs, meetings and community events.

Stephen Brundell, our Site Manager who led on the project, said: “We are delighted to hand over the keys to the new Witham Community Centre. 

“The build has proved a great success, and we hope to see the centre become an important community asset for local people. 

“We look forward to potential further opportunities to work with Braintree District Council and deliver more quality projects for the people of Essex.”

Facilities in the centre include a mixed-use hall, kitchen, bar area and changing rooms.

It has been jointly funded through investment from Braintree District Council and developer contributions secured through the planning process. Of the total investment, £2.27 million has been provided by Braintree District Council, with a further £1.77 million coming from developer contributions.

Braintree District Council is now progressing the legal transfer of the community centre to Witham Town Council, who will own and manage the facility on behalf of the local community.

Cllr Kevin Bowers, Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Performance and Deputy Leader at Braintree District Council, said: “The completion of Witham Community Centre marks an important milestone and represents a significant investment in the town’s future. 

“The new facility will provide opportunities for people of all ages to come together, stay active and take part in community life. 

“We are proud to have worked with our partners and the local community to deliver a high-quality facility that will benefit the town and its residents for many years to come.”

Witham Town Council Mayor, Cllr Paul Heath, added: “We are pleased to be moving forward with the project and recognise the positive working relationship between all stakeholders involved. 

“We look forward to delivering more projects together for the benefit of the people of Witham.”

Construction on the project began in June 2025 before its completion in September 2026. 

Further examples of our work in the community can be found here.