THE future of Barnton Royal British Legion Club was hanging in the balance last night.

Planning officers at Vale Royal Borough Council had recommended refusing permission for a housing development, comprising 12 houses on land to the rear of the club in Meadow Drive, Barnton.

Money raised by the sale of the land to Cheshire Village Homes would have saved the club, which is in desperate need of refurbishment to bring it up to standard rules and regulations, and Barnton Parish Council has fully supported the application.

But a 22-signature petition against the proposal was handed in to Vale Royal Borough Council and as the Guardian went to press last night, Tuesday, Vale Royal's planning committee was expected to agree.

Concerns expressed include:

Worse traffic delays across the swing bridge

That new houses are already being built on Runcorn Road

That the proposed urban village will supply ample opportunity to buy new property and this piece of land was the only piece left in the village, other than recreational land.

The club has between 600 and 700 members and has been at its present site on Meadow Lane since 1962, although it originally opened in 1948.

Geoff Burgess, club secretary, said: "It will be a devastating blow if the club has to close.

"They are looking at it in an extremely short sighted way. The club is an amenity for the village."

George Rymer, branch secretary of Barnton and Anderton Royal British Legion, added: "I shall be very disappointed if the borough council refuses this application.

"A facility would be lost."

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk