A ROW has erupted in Borrowby over plans for a village hall most of the villagers say they do not want.

After an extensive survey and consultation with residents, Borrowby Rural Hub Project, set up as part of the Vital Villages scheme to improve amenities, submitted a plan to Hambleton District Council for a new hall, post office and shop on the edge of the village.

The aim is to replace the present hall to meet an anticipated increase in use and create a village hub incorporating a shop, post office, play area, mini recycling site and internet access and IT training.

When the plan was presented last year, most residents were against selling the present hall on the green and building one in Back Lane, outside the village limits. Because streets are narrow, it is proposed to introduce a one-way system.

The project claims parking at the present hall is limited, disabled access extremely difficult and that, owing to its site, use is restricted.

The post office was lost in early 2002 and an attempt by the Post Office to set one up in the local pub failed.

The project team could not find a suitable site in the village, but found one within 100m of the existing hall. It is claimed that building a new multi-room village hall - at a cost of about £405,000 - would be the best idea.

Last week, at a meeting of the parish council, 50 residents disputed this and 66 letters of objection have been sent to the planning authority.

"I can't understand why the group has pushed ahead with this plan when the majority of residents have already said they didn't want it," said one person, who did not wish to be named. "Our advice is that the plan should be withdrawn," he added.

Another resident, Eric Rowland, said: "It is ridiculous to suggest demolishing the present village hall and selling the site for housing. Some 30 years ago, we all saved and fundraised to build the hall which is part of Borrowby village. Alterations and an extension could be built on the present building. No-one wants a village hall outside the village.

"The idea of a one-way system sending traffic which would visit the hall up a steep hill to leave the village is stupid," he said.

Joan Hepburn, chairwoman of Borrowby Hub group, said the plan would not go ahead unless 75pc of the village signalled approval.

"Though we have now spent a couple of years on this project, it is a community one and will not go ahead finally unless the village approves," she said.

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