A parish council has lost its bid to build a new village hall that had divided opinion in the community. 

While some supported the plans for a new village hall in Earith, others raised concerns that the new building would “intrude” on the open area of the recreation ground where it was planned to be built. 

Huntingdonshire District Council refused Earith Parish Council’s application to build the new community facility, arguing it would “harm the character” of the village. 

The new village hall was proposed to be built on the southern end of the village recreation ground, off Bridge End. The existing village hall on the High Street was also to be demolished in the plans. 

The existing village hall had been closed due to “an accumulation of numerous health and safety issues”, as well as “long-standing structural problems”. 

In planning documents, submitted as part of the planning application, it said: “The parish council sought to replace the existing village hall, located in the centre of the village, with a new facility, better equipped to meet the varied needs of the community. 

“The applicants sought a larger hall, sufficient for meetings and community events, ample toilet facilities including large disabled cubicles and a commercial-sized kitchen. 

“A thorough consultation process has taken place between the parish council and local residents over several months to clearly define the requirements of the new facility. 

“The community sought a sustainable, contemporary building that responded positively to its surroundings.” 

However, there were divided views in the village as to whether the proposals were the right choice. 

Objections to the application were made by 12 people, who raised concerns over flooding, and that the development would “intrude” on an area of open space. 

Comments in support were made by four people, who said the new village hall would offer an “appropriate location” for community events, and highlighted how groups would benefit from the new facility. 

The district council gave six reasons for its refusal of the plans, including that the proposed village hall would introduce an “obtrusive building in a historic open space”. 

In the planning officer’s report, it said: “It is acknowledged that there would be public benefit arising from the provision of a modern purpose-built and accessible village hall, and it has been considered that replacing the existing village hall is acceptable in principle. 

“However, it has been identified that the proposed development would result in harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area by reason of its siting and design, and there would be less than substantial harm to the Earith Conservation Area and nearby listed buildings. 

“It has also been considered that the proposals could give rise to material adverse impacts to neighbour amenity and the proposed loss of a protected tree has not been mitigated or compensated as part of the proposals.” 

The planning officer also said not enough information had been provided to allow them to properly assess how the development could impact the highway or flood risks. 

They said after “carefully weighing up” all the considerations, they concluded that the conflicts of policies in the proposals were not outweighed by the benefits of a new village hall.