CONTROVERSIAL plans to replace a community's sports hall with a care home were withdrawn at the last moment.

Oakland Healthcare's plans, which would have seen Loughton Sports Hall demolished, were recommended for refusal by district council officers on the grounds the new building would be overbearing and have a lack of parking.

It is believed Oakland are now redesigning their plans for a building with a better elevation.

Sport England, and Loughton's Town Council and Residents Association had all objected to the loss of the sports hall, which was sold off by Epping Forest College to help pay off its debts.

Residents' association vice-chairman David Linnell said: “Although we object to it in principle, if it does go ahead we'd far rather they have something more in line. But there's still the loss of the sports hall and the parking, that's two issues they've not resolved.

“If they're serious I'd expect them to redesign it and then go to appeal.”

Loughton Sports hall was built by public subscription and previously run by the Debden Community Association (DCA).

DCA managing trustee John Pringle said he still hoped his group might be allowed back to manage the sports hall.

He said: “Obviously there's a bit of a morale situation because they certainly haven't built the place themselves.

“It doesn't look like the care home will go ahead. They might come at it from another angle, I don't know. They're smart people.

“We are really in a position of waiting to see how this is going to go. As far as the district council is concerned it's up to them whether they want to continue the ongoing facilities for the local community.”

No-one from Oakland Healthcare was available for comment.