CRAYFORD Town Hall, saved from the threat of demolition 10 years ago by townspeople, could still face the bulldozer.

The building, the last remaining link between the area and Vickers, the company which created the modern town, now needs at least £500,000 worth of repairs, it has been revealed.

Together with the library, it occupies a central site in the town, which also makes it vulnerable to redevelopment.

People's fears for its future have been increased by Bexley Council's delay in publishing its draft Crayford Strategy Plan for the future of Crayford's town centre.

The plan, which will include the town hall site, is now due to go before the Cabinet in September. But local people were expecting to be consulted before the plan was produced.

Several groups, including the Save Crayford Campaign, have written to Bexley asking for assurances that they will have the chance to comment.

The campaign, which successfully fought the previous demolition plans, fears the town hall site may feature in proposals for further retail development in the town centre.

News that it needs extensive repairs are likely to increase the fears for its future.

The main hall in the building has been closed to large functions since an area of the dance floor began to subside.

The council says repairing it for the next 10 to 15 years could cost up to £100,000 and a full repair would be twice that amount.

Another £200,000 is needed to re-roof the building and a further £100,000 for general repairs. A comprehensive survey of the whole building, which also houses offices for the council, will form part of the draft strategy.

Resident Alec Nunn is already urging people to write and protest. He says: "Crayford Town Hall should not be sold and demolished on the excuse it will ease traffic congestion, or for pure commercial gain, overriding the wishes of residents who live in and around Crayford and for whom the building was purchased."

lpiper@london.newsquest.co.uk

July 16, 2002 11:30