THE old Salvation Army Hall in Whitchurch will be demolished to make way for housing after proposals were given outline planning permission.

Whitchurch Salvation Army Corps took the decision to close the hall in June last year after celebrating 120 years of work and service in the community. Members said they could not justify spending huge amounts of money on the extensive repairs needed.

Members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's development control committee heard the disused hall has not been used as a community facility for more than two years and is in a poor state of repair.

Along with the neighbouring disused garage on site, it was felt the site 'has a significant negative impact upon the visual amenity of the area'.

The committee heard Whitchurch has a range of community facilities available and there are plans in place to develop a new community hall within the town, so the loss of the hall would not make a huge difference. Whitchurch Town Council supported the plans, but raised concerns about the high level of asbestos in the building.

A report to the committee said following discussions with environmental health officers, a condition had been added to ensure the demolition of the building is completed in line with health and safety requirements. The Highways Authority did not object to the proposal providing a minimum of one parking space is provided on site.