A SHADY 'spoiler group' should not be allowed to upset ambitious plans to bring a new school and family centre to Longhope.

District councillor Joy Henbest says the new school in the centre of the village would replace the two existing schools and pull the village together.

But to finance the family centre venture it would mean the probable sale of the parish hall – the Latchen Rooms – as well as some adjoining land once used as allotments.

However, this would not mean the demolition of the Latchen Rooms which would be included in any housing project on the site.

Mrs Henbest believes the majority of Longhope residents are supporting the parish council but that beneath the surface a small group "have another agenda."

"I think this is a spoiler. It would break my heart if it stopped the school. The parish council has worked tremendously hard on this and have done everything democratically. It is a wonderful plan," she said.

Another village resident, who does not wish to be named, said many local people believed the parish council had been "less than open" with villagers.

It was suspected that residential plans for the Latchen Rooms site had already been drawn up without any consultation.

"Why is the existing hall not being considered for modernisation when most of the village thinks it should be?" asks the resident.

Mrs Henbest said the whole matter of a new school and the future of the Latchen Rooms had been discussed at an "overflowing" public meeting. Everyone had debated the subject and aired their views openly.

"There is a lot of sentiment for the Latchen Rooms and I would be the first to protest at any plan to knock it down. But it is difficult and expensive to maintain," she said.

Mrs Henbest said the parish council had worked tremendously hard on the project and there had been nothing undemocratic in anything they had done.

Recently the village hall committee had sent round a questionnaire asking for views on the sale of the Latchen Rooms and those who had returned forms were two to one in favour.

The building, she said, was administered by a charity and as a result nothing could be done without the whole village giving its blessing.

Meanwhile Mrs Henbest said the new school plan was "within an ace" of becoming a reality.

"There is obviously some stirring going on behind the scenes but there really is nothing to hide," she said.