VILLAGE campaigners have been left disappointed after a key part of a bid to build a new hall was turned down.

A planning application to knock down Ramsey War Memorial Hall, in Church Hill, and build three terrace houses in its place was put forward to Tendring Council.

The application, which was submitted by the hall’s committee, said the ageing building has reached a stage where it is no longer suitable to meet the needs of the community.

Designs for a new village hall in Wix Road have already been given the go-ahead, but the plans for the old site were an integral part of the process.

If approved, the site was set to be sold to a developer so the proceeds from the sale of the land could go towards the cost of building a new community hall in the recreation field.

Ramsey and Parkeston Parish Council supported the proposal and there were no other letters of representation - but Tendring Council has rejected the plans.

A spokesman for Tendring Council said the site is outside the settlement development boundary and goes against its policies to protect the countryside setting.

He said there would need to be special justification to approve the plans and the council felt that none had been put forward.

Suzanne Howe, secretary for the war memorial hall committee, said: “We are really disappointed and surprised by this decision.

“The sale of the Church Hill site is key to the success of the new build project.

“We are hoping to work with the council to try to get this decision overturned. We will appeal against it.”

The Wix Road recreation field has recently had new play equipment installed and it is also home to football and rugby teams.

Other activities such as play groups, fairs, dancing and exercise classes and other indoor sports are hoped to be held in the new hall.

As part of the proposal, the existing war memorial stone would become a feature within the new entrance of the hall.