A ROW has erupted over plans to change a village hall into an office development.

Plans have been submitted to change the hall in Brockhall Village into a retail and office space by Brockhall Village Limited (BVL).

But, according to the Brockhall Village Residents Association, the developers behind the estate agreed to build a village hall, formal gardens and a kickabout area for children and hand these over to residents in 2007.

However, some residents complained about the construction of these areas and asked to postpone acceptance due to concerns about maintenance costs.

But Mary Jones, association committee member said: “During the residents' AGM in May 2008 the residents voted to accept the package based on our report and business plan.

“We contacted BVL to pass on the good news but unfortunately BVL have now decided to withdraw their offer of handing over these areas.

"We are still trying to resurrect the deal but in a letter from BVL they have confirmed that they would prefer to sell the hall so that it could instead be used as a business.

“It’s never been in use because it's never been handed over to the residents.

"We do not want a shop as there would be more traffic coming through the village and there would also be strangers coming into the area.”

The village hall was built and designed by Harry Hitman, son of property mogul the late Gerald Hitman.

It was completed in 2007 and is currently being used by Mr Hitman as a sales centre for BVL's new properties.

Ms Jones said: “The hall was to be handed over to a charitable trust that would be setup by the residents association.

"We have developed a business plan to ensure that the hall is totally self-sufficient.

“It would be useful for toddler groups, as somewhere for teenagers to get together and numerous other possibilities.

"We were promised the village hall as part of the development and it seems it was under false pretences as now it is being withdrawn.”

Mr Hitman said: “Due to changes in market conditions, the asset has had to be realised and were a commercial offer to be received to retain the use as a hall we would of course be receptive.”