Village hall could be torn down for home

The building has not been used since around 2000 and has become derelict, missing a wall on one side and having a roof which has caved in.

Supporting information with the outline application by Mr and Mrs R Wood reads: “The site has been unused for a number of years due to falling attendance numbers and hence an alternative use for the land is now being sought by the owner.”

“The site is previously developed (brownfield land) and accordingly both local and national planning policies state a strong preference for the use of brownfield land for a development of this nature.”

But the plot does stand within a Green Belt.

John Lyte, 71, lives in Briestfield Road, where the village hall lies. He thinks “to some extent we could do with some development.

“It’s a general view that the village are not against development. What they are worried about is the materials that are used.

“It’s got to be natural Yorkshire stone. That’s essential.”

The supporting document continued: “The application proposes a replacement building that is exactly the same in terms of scale, mass and footprint” as the existing hall.