Villagers are drawing up an action plan to consider the future of South Wonston village hall, which is under threat of closure.

Increased running costs, plus work to make the premises more accessible to disabled people, will leave it in the red.

But that is not the main problem, according to the committee that runs the hall in Downs Road, which was built in 1986 on the site of the former WI building.

A spokesman said: "The site is leasehold and the adjacent site, on which limited parking is allowed, belongs to a second leaseholder who wants to sell. This would cost too much for the village hall to buy at current prices.

"Without this land there would be difficulty of access and no car park which would further limit the usage and problems."

At present, the hall is used most nights for table tennis, as well WI meetings, gardening club and private parties. But other groups prefer to use the pavilion next to the playing fields which has a bigger car park.

Now a new hall committee has been elected to hammer out a solution. Three working groups have been set up to consider trust and legal issues, how to increase use, and the future need for a public meeting space.

A feasibility study will consider all the facilities in the village, including the pavilion and South Wonston Social Club. The working groups are due to report back in April.

Winchester city councillor, Malcolm Wright, is meeting with city council planners on Friday, December 10th, to discuss the issue. Meanwhile, the hall committee is hoping the publicity will encourage more residents to support and use the village hall.

* Meanwhile, residents of South Wonston have just a few days to complete a questionnaire compiled by the parish council. It aims to gauge a response on three issues

It asks whether a skatepark should be built for teenagers. It also poses whether the speed limit should be reduced in the village. The third asks if there would be support for a bus/rail link between the village and Winchester Railway Station.

Closing date for forms to be returned is next Tuesday. Parish councillor, David Selby, said around 200 of the 800 questionnaires sent out had been returned. "I'd like to see as many back as possible. It will show that people are involved in the process."