A NEGLECTED church hall which has been targeted by vandals and thieves will be secured against further deterioration, council officials have pledged.

But a City of York spokeswoman said that significant investment could not be made at St Clement's Church Hall, in Cygnet Street, until there was a "robust business case" to support its future use.

The city hall was saved from residential redevelopment following a long battle by local residents and members of the St Clement's Hall Preservation Trust.

It was subsequently purchased by the council from Yorkshire Housing Association after the association was given permission to create 22 flats and nine homes at a former council depot in Moss Street at the end of 2003.

Now the preservation trust has called for urgent repairs to the building and for it to be fully restored into public use and has criticised the council's response to the building's worsening condition.

Trust spokeswoman Isobel Rhodes Bernays said: "After over five years of neglect it is in a sorry state. A catalogue of misfortunes have befallen it which include youths on the roof smashing skylights, the theft of period features such as fireplaces, Yorkshire range and staircase features; deliberate setting fire to the dance floor by vandals; and break-ins for illicit drinking sessions.

"In addition, a hole in the roof and the removal of bricks from the gable wall render the structure subject to water damage and threaten the whole structure."

The hall was discussed at a Micklegate Ward Committee meeting last week.

Ms Rhodes Bernays said: "At that meeting a representative of the council's property services department said there was no point in repairing it until it was known what was to happen to the building.

"This is unacceptable. If action is not taken speedily then the hall could be lost for good. This cannot be allowed to happen"

But a council spokeswoman said: "City of York Council has always been supportive of the Trust's objectives to preserve this important building and to consider development proposals to support its future use as a community facility.

"Before significant investment is made, the council has to be satisfied that there is a robust business case to support that community use.

"Until such time as that is proven and a viable scheme agreed, the council will continue to carry out necessary repairs to keep the building secure, and wind and watertight, thereby preventing further deterioration of the hall."

Updated: 10:55 Monday, April 25, 2005