AMBITIOUS plans to build a community hall in Tottington may be scrapped.

So disappointed are officials of St Anne's Church with councillors, who again refused to approve their plans for a new hall, that they are now "seriously" considering abandoning the idea.

They said appealing against the decision would cost the church more money.

Mr Glyn Roberts, a member of the church's working party, told the Bury Times: "We are disappointed with the decision. The Parochial Church Council is considering the alternatives."

He admitted that one of the options was to withdraw the plans. Mr Roberts said that if this option was taken then it would be a huge blow for the community which had a lack of facilities of this nature.

"Each option has implications and they will be assessed," he said.

"From the very beginning our plans were to have a hall for the whole village, not just for the church."

Plans to build a church hall were submitted back in January after the original hall, which is well used by community organisations, started falling into disrepair. The present building is made up of a national school dating back to 1835 and an infant school built in 1887.

Following lengthy discussions with various bodies, including English Heritage over the design of the hall, it was decided to demolish the infant school and extend the other building.

Members of the church say the proposed building is a much-needed facility in the village and will enhance the community spirit. Users of the hall fear that if planning consent is not given for it to be rebuilt then the old building will have to close.

The application had been recommended for approval at November's planning control sub-committee meeting but was deferred to allow the church to resolve problems raised by the borough's environmental services officer over toilet and kitchen facilities as well as concerns by neighbours over the impact the proposed hall would have on them.

However, last week, planning members rejected the application after they felt neighbours had not been properly consulted over their concerns.

But according to church officials, a local survey revealedthat 85 per cent of the community supported the development of the hall.

Mr Glyn Roberts said that the whole community had been fund-raising to pay for the proposed £800,000 redevelopment of the church hall.

Member of the planning control sub-commitee, Coun Mike Connolly said: "I want to make it quite clear that in principle I have no objections to any development of this particular site.

"I do have particular concerns about this application though. I have certainly not changed my mind that the proposals are seriously clashing with the character of the locality.

"This development will have a detrimental effect on the adjacent properties."

"I am very concerned about security in particular the need to install lighting which will have an effect on properties to the rear who will lose light during the day and have artificial light streaming through the windows at night."

"I really feel that the behaviour of some of the people associated with this application has left a lot to be desired. I have been criticised for comments I have made at the last meeting and other members of this committee have received other remarks.

Coun Frank Adams added : "Many of us were highly impressed by the design of this development.

"However, I am appalled by the way neighbours have been dealt with."

Coun Connie Fitzgerald: "I do think there should be more consultation with the neighbours although I appreciate the need for a new hall and approve of the design."

Two councillors voted for the scheme and seven voted against giving the proposal planning approval.