WATLINGTON residents campaigning to save the parish church hall appear to have lost their battle.

St Leonard’s parochial church council has decided to go ahead with plans to refurbish the church, and admitted this “may involve the demolition of the hall”. In January, more than 80 people at a Watlington town hall meeting protested at the plans, claiming it would “vandalise” a town beauty spot.

The rector of the church, Rev Christopher Evans, said: “The aim is to unlock the potential of this wonderful building to be an ideal venue for community events and activities, as well as for worship and prayer.

“We want everyone in our area to benefit from it in all sorts of different ways, not just our regular congregations.”

The improvements will be funded by selling the church hall site, which belongs to the Maria Cook Trust, a charity which aims to provide for the future of St Leonard’s.

The church will be developed to house events currently held in the church hall. Catering facilities will also be installed.

Mr Evans added: “We would be happy to see the hall bought by a local community group. Our council decided to provide any interested group with six months to come up with a viable business plan, and a deadline of March 2011 for full funding of the purchase.”

Barbara Williamson, churchwarden at St Leonard’s and chairman of the parochial church council, said: “The church will become a perfect setting for music, drama, clubs, classes, dinners, exhibitions, and all kinds of recreational activities — as well as for worship and prayer.”