A PROPOSAL for a new village hall in Chillaton which divided local opinion has been refused by West Devon Borough Council's planning committee.
The three main reasons for turning down the application were the distance of the hall from the centre of the village, the potential detriment to the amenities of nearby residents and visual intrusion in the open countryside.
Opponent of the plans, local resident Mathew Torvill, said contrary to the comments made in last week's Times by chairman of the village hall trustees Neil Warrington that Chillaton was 'dying' from the lack of a community centre, the village still had a lot going on.
He said some organisations and events had folded because of the lack of interest by people, not the lack of a venue and the nearby church hall at Marystow was used for events.
Mr Warrington told the committee that in the last village questionnaire 150 people said they wanted a new village hall and only 30 did not.
The plans were supported by the parish council, but planning officers recommended it for refusal.
Ward member Dilwyn Hughes said the village was divided over the plans but added that communities should be looking at area halls rather than village halls.
Mr Warrington, who has threatened to resign as chairman of the village hall trustees said: 'The planners appear to have no feeling for the development of the community. 'If that is how local democracy works, I do not want to be involved in it.'