A NEW parish hall will be built from the proceeds of a block of flats which are set to replace a former church.

All Saints Church and Hall in London Road, Crays Hill, will be demolished to make way for a block of six two-bedroom apartments if plans are approved by Basildon Council.

The Diocese of Chelmsford closed the building, used as a chapel and adjoining church hall, in late 2009.

Ramsden Crays Parish Council has had to meet in Crays Hill Primary School ever since.

It has been trying to get confirmation from the diocese it will honour an age-old legal agreement that should it ever stop being used as a church it would go back to the village.

Peter Furness, secretary of the Parochial Church Council of Great Burstead, said: “It is the intention to set aside proceeds for the creation of a new community hall within the parish.”

St Mary’s Church was built by villagers using their own money which they started to raise in 1914.

In 1927 Francis Whitmore, an army lieutenant colonel from Orsett, gave the land to the church on the proviso if its use ever ceased or it was sold the money would go to a charity within the parish.

David McPherson Davis, a parish councillor, said: “We have been writing to the diocese to find out how they intend honouring the agreement.

“Since the hall closed we have had to meet in the school, so the ideal solution would be money towards a new community hall in the park.” He said he would like the church to confirm the agreement in writing as it has so far dismissed the covenant, and there is no mention of it in the planning application.

The diocese responded saying it does not believe the covenant can be enforced because the trustees involved have all died.

A spokesman for Chelmsford Diocese said: “According to the legal advice we have received there are no covenants on this church land.” However, he said what Mr Furness told the Echo was the latest position.