AFTER a summer of vandalism and a suspected arson attack on Shottermill Village Hall, local residents have called on Waverley Borough Council to demolish the dilapidated building.

It follows their fears that the derelict building, an ex-Canadian Army hospital ward, bought by public subscription and erected in the 1920s in memory of Shottermill men who fell in the first world war, could now, because of the state it's in, poses a danger to the nearby infant school, and residential properties and their owners.

They are concerned that the building has been continually targeted by vandals, breaking in through damaged doors and windows and causing criminal damage.

And at a public meeting held at the Haslewey community centre in Wey Hill last week and attended by nearly 30 residents from the locality, including local community police officer Pc Rob Hawkes, residents voiced their concerns over the problems, after years of doubt over the viability of the hall.

It follows a decision taken several years ago to sell the third of an acre site, thought then to be worth in the region of £400,000 to a housing developer and invest the money to benefit local organisations.

But it came to nothing after Waverley Borough Council turned down plans by housing developers, Premier Properties, to demolish the redundant village hall, and build five, two and three-bedroom homes on the third of an acre site. It considered that the new housing would damage protected trees on and around the site and cause a loss of privacy to residents living in the area.

The proposals were also thrown out this summer, by government planning inspector Elizabeth Lawrence who concluded that there were "compelling reasons" for dismissing an appeal lodged by the developers.

She too considered that there was a likelihood the proposed development would harm protected trees in the vicinity and also believed that the hall had not been marketed properly as a community facility.

A former acting trustee of the village hall, Bill Harding, said the trustees had "honestly done whatever we could" to market the village hall. And he said he had been hurt by the inspector's remarks on the lack of marketing of the building for community use.

Hampered by the enormous costs of refurbishing the hall and daytime lettings only, because of noise problems to nearby neighbours from evening usage, Mr Harding said around £100,000 would be needed to refurbish the hall.

"We thought her comments were desperately unfair," said Mr Harding who, with another trustee Ken Draper, has since handed over the responsibility to three new trustees who were appointed a year ago.

"We have just spent a lot of money, close on £2,000 to make it secure – it's never ending," he said.

But now some residents have decided that enough is enough and called for urgent action to get rid of the hall once and for all. They have sent letters to local MP Jeremy Hunt, the chief executive of Waverley, Christine Pointer, and the mayor of Waverley and town councillor Jacquie Keen, among others.

Among those worried about the building is the headteacher of Shottermill Infant School, Cathy Cooke. Mrs Cooke told The Herald that the school fence was damaged almost "on a nightly basis" and said: "I attended the police forum last Thursday and it appeared obvious that the village hall is no longer viable as a community centre. While we appreciate it is impossible to keep it secure, we think perhaps the best option is for it be removed to prevent it becoming a fire hazard."

South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has also written to Mrs Pointer urging her to "look into the matter urgently".

He commented: "I am concerned that Shottermill Hall in its current state could lead to more anti-social behaviour or even more arson attacks and have an effect on the quality of life of residents living in the vicinity."

Mrs Keen, who is the local borough and town councillor for the area, said she knew that "residents were very, very worried about the condition of the hall. It is in an unsightly state, but I am sad to say it is down to the trustees and the agent to sort out the problems".

A statement from Waverley Borough Council said it was working in partnership with Surrey Police and the fire service to address residents' concerns over anti-social behaviour and possible arson attacks on Shottermill Village Hall.

"Waverley's building control team has carried out an assessment of Shottermill Village Hall and concluded that the structure is not currently dangerous. However, the council is currently looking at the options for the future of the hall and these will be considered shortly.

"Responsibility for the site currently lies with the trustees of Shottermill Village Hall," said a spokesman who advised residents that if they had any concerns they should phone Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222.

Both Mr Hawkes for the police and Matt Oakley, crew manager at Haslemere Fire Station and in charge of arson prevention for Waverley, said they were committed to working together to find a solution to the problems concerning Shottermill Village Hall.

"We are taking a pro-active approach and are concerned with safety issues at the hall and other derelict buildings around Haslemere," said Mr Oakley.