COUNCILLORS accused of ignoring the democratic vote of Pershore Town Council over a new hall plan, have hit back saying they are listening to the will of the people.

In last week’s Journal town councillor David Annis criticised district councillors for the Pershore ward, Tony Rowley, Charles Tucker and Val Wood - who also sit on the town council - for blocking the community hall proposed to be built on land next to Pershore Cemetery. Wychavon’ District Council's planning committee recently delayed the decision on the town council’s application for a second time, to seek legal advice.

In the letter Cllr Annis wrote: “A vote was passed 11 votes to three at a town council meeting to build a new community centre. The three votes against were put by Cllr Rowley, Cllr Tucker and Cllr Wood. I am shocked and disgusted these three councillors have used their positions on Wychavon District Council to block the application by getting it deferred for the second time and going against the democratic vote that was taken by Pershore Town Council.

“This strengthens my view that that it is very unhealthy having people sitting on both councils at the same time."

But the councillors responded saying Pershore residents are opposed to the plan.

Cllr Tucker said: “My view is the town council got it wrong.

"Very few people outside of the town council want to see the hall. There is patently very little support for it in the town. People have come up to me saying they were supporting what we are trying to do.

“No one has come up to me saying I’m doing the wrong thing, not supporting the hall.

“I take no notice of what Councillor Annis says. I have said for a while I think it is time for refresh of the town council.”

He added that on councillors sitting on two authorities he always did the role "with two hats on", examining applications “not just based on what the town council think”.

Cllr Rowley said: “I have nothing against but the principal of a hall, but I have concerns on the out of town location. The vast majority are against the location. We didn’t follow the town council vote, we followed the will of the people against the hall.”

Cllr Wood added: “Residents are supporting our view. The location, on the outskirts of the town, is wrong and getting to it safely is a problem.”

READ MORE:New £600,000 community hall in Pershore set to be approved