TOWN leaders are pressing on with plans for a new community hall – and are ready to give the old one away.

There are strings attached to the free building which Nailsworth Town Council needs to shift before it can start work on the controversial new hall in Forest Green.

There have been resignations and rows over the new hall but the council has shown its intention to press on with the project by picking a contractor and by offering the temporary building to a group which can take it away.

"With the planned building of a permanent community hall for residents of Forest Green, the temporary hall will become redundant," said mayor Coun Norman Kay.

"The town council will give it free-of-charge to a community group once work starts on the permanent hall, probably in early summer.

"Nailsworth Town Council is inviting groups to write to the clerk by the end of March to apply for the building."

While the contractor, which cannot named yet, has been chosen anger remains at the cost of the new hall and whether it is needed.

The town council says it has consulted properly but its detractors believe the proposals have been forced through and are upset that £300,000 of the £650,000 scheme will come from former mayor Frank 'Bunny' Arkell's £400,000 legacy.

The new hall will have four designated car parking spaces, although the council is seeking to use spaces at the nearby primary school.

Town councillors John Bratby and Alan Wheeler resigned over the issue and 10 residents called for a by-election.

Nominations closed last Friday. Three candidates have put their names in the hat, Ashley Fudge, Myles Robinson and Gail Smith.

Village Inn landlord Oisin Hawes was considering to stand.

Mr Fudge's wife Lorraine says she doesn't have a problem with a hall, in principle, but questions the need to spend so much money and whether there are enough parking spaces.

She has tackled the town council over the issue but feels the hall will go ahead regardless.

"Considering they don't have all the money for the new community hall it seems to be at odds to just give this one away," she said.

"There is a necessity for a hall there. There is no necessity to get greedy about it."

She said there would not be enough car parking spaces. She added: "There would be four for 170 people and it's costing £650,000, so I cannot see how that is justifiable."

Mrs Smith said: "I'm not quite sure of the motive behind it. I am staggered at the amount of money they want to spend."

Preference for taking the temporary hall will be given to groups based in the Nailsworth area but others are welcome to apply.

The successful group will have to arrange to remove it, although it is possible that a grant will be available to pay for the work. Ring Coun Kay on 01453 833 458 for details.