A CONSULTATION is set to begin into the future of a community hall in Christchurch.

Members of the public will be given their say on Druitt Hall with a six-week consultation period set to begin in October.

The survey seeks to determine if Christchurch residents want to keep the popular facility, or have it replaced.

Detailed plans for the consultation were outlined in a Christchurch Town Council meeting on Tuesday, September 6.

According to the meeting minutes, the public will be asked: “Do you want to retain Druitt Hall, as it is, with appropriate improvements? Or would you like to see a new build Community Hall in its place?”.

Read more: Consultation to be held over Christchurch's Druitt Hall

Druitt Hall has remained a subject of discussion for the ancient borough, with some councillors and residents calling for improvement works, and others asking for it to be replaced completely.

Thousands of pounds have been spent on improvements to the building over the past few years, with further refurbishment works proposed for the hall earlier this year, including a window replacement scheme.

However, these were put on hold in June when the council decided to consult the public, and hear their views.

Councillor Lesley Dedman said: “The way that the town council plan to consult the community has been put together really fairly, with all the options out.

“People will have their say. It will be what the public want.

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At the meeting on September 6, a resident raised concerns that the council could be leaning more towards demolishing Druitt Hall to then rebuild it.

The town clerk responded: “The Town Council has not expressed any resolved intention to rebuild the hall. A committee previously committed sums for the windows to be replaced, however this decision was re-visited by Full Council and replaced with a commitment to consult the public on the matter of refurbishment or rebuild.

“Dismissing the idea of a rebuild at this stage inherently presupposes what the consultation outcome maybe. It has been the policy of council to consult the whole community of Christchurch prior to any substantive decision.”

The consultation period will begin on October 1, with an online survey and hard-copies available across the town and its five wards.