A FORMER church hall, built in the 19th Century, could be turned into flats for homeless families.

St Clement's Church Hall, in York, has been the venue for dances, wedding receptions and community meetings for more than 100 years.

But the local authority is this week considering a proposal to convert the building into nine supported flats.

A local housing association wants to create "temporary residence for families who, for various reasons, have had to move from their previous accommodation but have yet to secure alternative housing."

However, residents object to the scheme and want the council to turn it down.

They say the scheme would mean a well-used community facility would be lost and that the hall is a central part of the community's character, history and architecture

But Richard Graham, the council's development control officer, said: "It can be demonstrated that the existing buildings are surplus to, or no longer capable of, meeting existing or future needs of the local community, or it can be demonstrated that alternative sites for the existing use can be provided.

"It is considered that the applicants have demonstrated that the proposal would not unduly harm the amenities of residents living close to the site or harm the character or appearance of the listed building."