A SCHEME to demolish a village leisure club and replace it with seven homes has been put on ice.

Plans for the development were submitted for Ardleigh Squash and Leisure Club in Dedham Road.

They involved four bedroom detached houses with garages and diverting an existing footpath and public right of way.

One of the club’s buildings would be retained and incorporated into one of the properties.

Tendring Council’s planning committee heard the site had not been operating for more than two years and was closed.

Cath Bicknell, Tendring Council’s head of planning, said the location of the club was in the village’s conservation area and the design and materials for the homes were in keeping with that designation. She said: “This had been a flourishing squash and leisure club for many years but it is felt that it is no longer needed or viable in this location.

“The buildings to be demolished have no architectural value and the new homes are of a similar design to others recently built in the area.”

Ardleigh Parish Council strongly objected to the development.

In addition, the district council received a total of 69 objections to the scheme as the area is designated for recreational use or open space.

The club had been in existence for about 40 years.

However, Tendring Council said councillors visited the club before making a decision and believed a use other than residential could still be found.

They said they were also surprised at the good condition of the facilities and wanted further marketing of the site to be undertaken.

The committee decided to defer a final decision for a further six months.

A group called Ardleigh Fall Outs, made up of villagers and people who used the centre, set up to reopen the building but has been unsuccessful so far.