A CHURCH hall saved from development by City of York councillors should be found a use keeping it at the centre of the community, it was said today.

Isobel Bernays, chairwoman of a preservation trust set up to safeguard community use of St Clement's Church Hall, in Cygnet Street, said it was important for the local area that it retained this kind of venue.

Developers had applied for permission to turn the hall into housing.

But city planners turned down the proposals, saying they would "put every community facility in the city at risk".

They agreed with opponents that there were no viable alternatives to the hall in the area.

Mrs Bernays said: "We are not sure what happens next, but the decision from the council was clear. The hall is needed as a community facility.

"We are willing to enter into discussions with anybody about plans for the site over all. It's only the hall that is our particular interest."

The Evening Press reported on Monday that the trust had sent 33 letters to the council opposing the plans, including claims that the new residents would be a "threat to a safe and tranquil residential area" and additional vehicles would cause parking and pollution problems.

The letters actually came from residents, not all of whom are trust members.

Mrs Bernays said: "The trust is not against the potential residents at all, and we do not think pollution problems would be caused.

"Our view, and the view of most of the opponents, is that we do not want to lose this hall as a community venue. That is the reason we were set up."

Updated: 10:40 Friday, November 22, 2002