VILLAGERS in Monk Sherborne could soon have a new village hall.

A planning application has been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to tear down the old hall in Ramsdell Road, which is over 100-years-old, and a build a new one in its place.

Part of the statement submitted with the plan reads: “The existing Monk Sherborne Village Hall dates from circa 1926, sited parallel to the Ramsdell Road in the village recreation ground car park. It has not been substantially modified since it was built nearly 100 years ago, and so is in desperate need of attention.

“Re-construction is considered the most practical and economical thing to do. The existing hall is used fairly consistently for a variety of activities and its continued presence as a valuable community resource is extremely important to the community of Monk Sherborne, which numbers about 200 people, and also neighbouring ones.

“There is a proposal for a new hall in Ramsdell as well, but this will be larger and suited to different activities, catering to a community of about 350 people. The two communities will therefore still be able to share resources.”

The location has been changed slightly.

The proposed new site runs perpendicular to where the current setting of the hall is, as the current hall runs parallel to a hedge and the road, which was decided as not being ideal due to the noise and the overall look.

The new location will be parallel to the recreation ground.

The design of the hall will need to be sensitive as the site is within the Monk Sherborne Conservation Area.

“The design statement adds: The conservation area reflects a variety of traditional building materials, ranging from 1980’s red brick and clay tile with trellised casement windows, to older forms of red brick and red tile, or buff brick and rendered facades.”

To view the full details on the application, go to https://planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/onlineapplications/ and search for the planning code 17/03515/FUL.

The plan is due to be decided on by December 18.