ANGRY residents have accused a builder of breaking a promise to build a community hall within a controversial block of flats.

Permission for the unpopular seven-storey development on the former St Clement’s Church hall site, in Leigh, originally included a community facility on the ground floor, to replace the old church hall.

Now, applicant Michael Riddell, of Lacey Enterprises, has submitted new plans for 30 – not 20 – flats and no community hall. A planning statement made by Pomery Planning Consultants, on the applicant’s behalf, said the hall could be left out because, firstly, there is enough community space already in Leigh and, secondly, no one in the town has come forward to run the hall.

Pat Holden, chairman of Leigh Town Council, is furious.

She said: “It’s ridiculous to say there’s enough community space in Leigh. The old hall was used by people non-stop.

“Southend Council is now talking about knocking down the Leigh Community Centre. We are desperately short of community space in the town.”

Planning permission for the previous application was granted by a Government inspector in September 2008, after the council repeatedly rejected plans for the site.

The inspector’s decision caused outrage among neighbours and local councillors who protested the development was too high and unattractive. The building would be staggered in height from three storeys, rising up to seven.

Chris Ward, 52, lives in neighbouring St Clement’s Court and led the unsuccessful campaign to save the original St Clement’s Church hall from demolition.

He described the development as a “monstrosity”, adding: “The strength of feeling arising during the campaign to save the hall shows how much people of Leigh care about their community. I’m sure they will join together to oppose this new development too.

“The community hall was just a sop to get the plans through in the first place. The developer was probably hoping people had forgotten about it.”

Another resident, Nick Jones, retired, who campaigned against the development in 2008, said: “They promised a community hall and they haven’t delivered it. It comes as no surprise. There’s no justice really.”

St Clement’s Church hall was demolished in 2006 and the site sold for £1.3million. The council is due to make a decision on the application by June 30.