THE future of Chillaton Village Hall hangs in the balance — its fate now rests in the hands of local people.

It was forced to close for safety reasons earlier this year and now the hall's trustees have mounted a consultation exercise among villagers to find out what they want to do with the building which is suffering from extensive dry rot.

The committee has come up with a number of options — and they want to know what Chillaton thinks.

Neil Warrington, chairman of the trustees, said: 'The questionnaires starting going out last week and we are already getting a reasonable amount of replies back.

'We are at the stage of finding out what people want to do next — we can't move anywhere without that information. We want to be led by them.'

The questionnaire presents villagers with several options:

l to retain, repair and update the existing hall at a cost of £5,500

l to sell it and build a new one

l establish a 'village fund' with the capital

A new hall could cost from £100,000 to £400,000 depending on size and facilities.

If a village fund was formed, the capital would be held in trust with the interest being used to support village activities.

'The sting in the tail is the Disability Discrimination Act and getting access into the hall.

'We reckon to do that would cost another £20,000 if it could be done and if we could get planning permission. It's an open question because there is no parking anyway,' said Mr Warrington.

The building is set above the road, up a steep flight of steps which would need a zig-zag ramp constructed for wheelchairs.

He said the time-scale for the next move was 'fluid' but certainly nothing could be done for the Millennium.

'We have missed out on this year's round of grants so we are clearly looking to do something next year,' said Mr Warrington.

'We are working with the Community Council of Devon who are coming to guide us on grant aid, once we have the analysis,' he said.

He appealed to people to send back their questionnaires as soon as possible.

The village hall was built in 1909 as a reading room and extended over the years to include a new kitchen and toilets.

Some £7,000 was spent five years ago in an effort to combat dry rot in the building.

It has been used for a variety of community uses, including Chillaton Badminton Club, skittles evenings, dances and regular playgroup meetings.

Jill Rodgers of Chillaton Under 5s Playgroup said the group meets at Meadwell near Lifton.

'I personally would favour trying to start afresh on a new site, but whether that's the view of most people I don't know,' she said.

'We are very happy at Meadwell although it would be lovely to have a new facility — obviously we could walk to the hall in Chillaton,' she said.

'We miss having it — we do an annual children's Christmas party in the village and we are having to hold that at Meadwell.

'The hall is such a focus for the village,' said Mrs Rodgers.

Village hall questionnaires should be returned to Chillaton Post Office or to one of the trustees listed on the form.