THE CONTROVERSIAL proposal to site a £1.6 million church and community centre in Oakley is set to be a real planning hot potato judging by the first of two public meetings.

At a packed meeting at Oakley Junior School on Monday, locals gave a clear message to the St Leonard's Church Executive Committee responsible for the proposal that, while they are not necessarily against having a new church, they don't like the location.

Exco wants to build the 1,000 square metre church on a greenfield site on the former Manydown estate, opposite St John's Piece.

Exco's Simon Constantine said the new building was needed to accommodate St Leonard's growing congregation and improve the community's social facilities.

But Barry Mundy, from the Save Our Village Action Group, said: "We have been fighting a battle to save our village character and prevent us from being part of an urban sprawl.

"This would lead to the first breach of that gap and may undermine our campaign and result in Oakleystoke.

Many people are concerned about the scale of the building and that its facilities would attract more people from outside of the village. This would exacerbate traffic problems and cause more noise and litter.

But Dorothy Collard is among the local people who have welcomed the plans.

She said: "I really do think this community centre would add an edge to Oakley."

The second public meeting will be held tonight at Oakley Junior School, starting at 7.30pm.