DEVELOPERS have presented their latest proposals for a seven-storey block of flats to replace a much-loved building in Leigh.

The plans for the former St Clement's Church hall, in Rectory Grove, were revealed to the public at the offices of Leigh Town Council after a council meeting.

About 25 concerned residents crammed in to see the artist's impressions and decide if they were an improvement to previous plans for a futuristic ten-storey building on the site.

These were turned down by Southend Council last year because of the size of the building and fears it would block out the light to neighbouring properties.

The latest proposals are for a community hall on the ground floor, with 20 two-and three-bedroom flats above and two tiers of parking below.

There will be 26 parking spaces for residents and ten for people using the hall.

The brick-coloured building, which has five main roof tiers, rises from three stories at the back to seven stories at the side facing Rectory Grove and Broadway West.

Residents were more positive about the new plans, but many still raised concerns over its size, parking provision and the impact on traffic.

Jan Hurry, of Rectory Grove, said: "It's still too high and will block the sunlight. There will be a constant stream of traffic which will be hazardous for Rectory Grove."

Hundreds protested when the church hall was sold off by church leaders in February 2006.

It had provided facilities for a children's nursery, dance groups and the Leigh Film Society, among others.

Robert Pomery, of architects Andrew Martin Asso-ciates, said the developers were hoping to submit the planning application to Southend Council before Christmas.

He said: "We have listened to residents and taken into account the objections to the previous development plan.

"We've taken about a third off the height of the building and moved it away from St Clement's Court."

The developers have been in discussion with the St Clement's Hall Trust, which wants to eventually buy the hall in the new building and run it for the community.

Mr Pomery added there was no estimated cost for the whole building yet, but said the hall could be sold on to the trust for "considerably less than £1m".