NEW Milton Memorial Hall could be on the move if plans for a £5 million replacement funded by a flats scheme do not get planning approval.

A plan submitted by the hall management committee in the spring to New Forest District Council has yet to be approved.

It asked for permission to demolish the existing building, located between Whitefield Road and the recreation ground.

As well as a spacious auditorium with cinema facilities its replacement was to have a youth drop-in centre, indoor bowls rink, 22 flats and three penthouses.

Sale of the flats was meant to fund the project.

Since then the hall managers have been in talks with local building company Almansa Construction.

That has led to Almansa submitting an outline scheme for six houses and eight flats on the Memorial Hall site.

Hall management committee chairman Ken Hodson said: "We're trying everything to keep it open, but we have to look at all options so that in the future we can progress."

"If this was to be accepted a new site would have to be found in the town."

He said the committee "had a few ideas" about the location for replacement hall.

"Whatever we do we will keep the centre open," he stressed.

The existing memorial hall is only 20 years old but was built on a shoestring budget after a fire tragically gutted the previous building.

"It's a miracle it was done but as time has gone on we're having to pick up the tab for everything being done on the cheap," said Mr Hodson.

He said the roof needs repairing at a cost of £40,000, about £20,000 is needed to stop the basement flooding and around £30,000 is required for new flooring at ground floor level.

In addition the brickwork needs repointing and windows need renewing.

First published: September 13