TRUSTEES planning to demolish a parish hall in Portchester have hit back at accusations that they are vandals.

Opponents have accused them of destroying an important early 20th century building rather than finding the money to repair it.

But trustees chairman Nick Walker said nothing could be further from the truth.

"We all regret the loss of an interesting building but we do not see any other way to go forward.

"It is very easy for somebody to stand up outside the situation and complain."

He said the trust had worked hard to find a solution.

They had called surveyors to look at the state of the current hall in Castle Street, which, although not a listed building, is in a conservation area.

The results of the surveys confirmed that any renovation would only improve the hall for another few years before decline set in again.

Mr Walker said that after looking for funding for the work from the council and the lottery, the trustees decided to demolish the present hall and build six retirement flats on the site.

They have applied to build a new hall on land also on Castle Street, using money generated by the sale of the flats.

But he said the low-level flats, designed to look like cottages, had been deliberately chosen as something which would be of benefit to the Portchester community.

"We decided to do something that will help people who are currently trapped in houses on the hill in Portchester to help them stay in the community by moving down to Castle Street," he said.

Since the scheme was announced by the trustees responsible for the hall, the community has been split, sparking an independent campaign called the Friends of Portchester Hall, which has over 100 members.

The public have three weeks to have their say about the plans during a consultation period organised by Fareham Borough Council.

The final decision about the hall's fate could be made this month.

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