A 40-YEAR dream of a new village hall for a seaside community is set to come true after planners finally gave it the go-ahead this week.Members of the borough council's development control committee gave the scheme their unanimous backing this week, despite hearing concerns about likely users and traffic.

A 40-YEAR dream of a new village hall for a seaside community is set to come true after planners finally gave it the go-ahead this week.

Members of the borough council's development control committee gave the scheme their unanimous backing this week, despite hearing concerns about likely users and traffic.

Geoff Freeman, Ormesby with Scratby Parish Council chairman, told members: “This is the fulfilment of a dream for the people of Ormesby and Scratby. We are extremely short of space, we are over subscribed and in Scratby there is nowhere even to vote. It is not nearly good enough. It was 40 years ago that the council started on this and it has been a long, long haul and the last thing we want to do now is be bad neighbours.

“The site is difficult - we know that. The original design for the access was opposed and �7000 was spent redesigning it. There will be very good visibility to the road. The other most important thing is that it is quite a short road. We do intend to put in some form of speed reduction.

“As a parish council we like to think we are quite green and any form of lighting would low lighting for safety while the building is in use.

“There are some strips of land at the end of some properties and it's the intention of the land owner to come to an amicable arrangement with these people. We are just very grateful that we have found a site and would like to make sure it is an asset to both villages.”

The committee heard from an objector whose home backs on to the site. He questioned demand for the hall among local groups like scouts and guides and the focus on commercial money-spinners like weddings.

Committee chairman Charles Reynolds said he fully supported the hall, adding: “Every facility in Ormesby is well run and I can assure you that you will have no problems. It is something the people of Scratby had dreamed of for years and it's a much-need addition. It's not the most ideal position, we have to accept, that but I think it is going to work very well.”

Mr Freeman said he hoped building work would start in the Autumn.

The committee unanimously approved the plans.