A VILLAGE hall dating back a century could be demolished to make way for a replacement.

The Fletcher Hall, on East Saltoun’s Main Street, has been used by community groups for a wealth of purposes for decades.

However, the building has now reached the end of its shelf life, with Saltoun Community Association (SCA) looking to see the building demolished and a new version built on the site.

Sarah Bronsdon of the SCA was hopeful that a decision could be made on two planning applications – one to demolish the building and one to build a replacement – in the coming months, with work pencilled in for summer next year.

It is anticipated that demolition and construction could take six months and Mrs Bronsdon said: “Until we have got the planning finalised, we have not got a final cost but we are looking at in the region of £500,000 to £600,000.

“Given there is asbestos in the building, it complicates things slightly.

“We are looking at a best case scenario that it will be open by the beginning of 2020.”

According to the plans, which are with East Lothian Council’s planning department, the hall has “a significant amount” of asbestos, while the hall has no insulation in the walls, roof or floor.

Heating is provided by “inefficient” heating lamps and most of the windows are timber single-glazed.

Over the years, the hall has been used for everything from fitness classes, new year parties and pub nights to birthday parties, summer fair and church events.

The design and access statement states: “In recent years, the external and internal fabric of the building has deteriorated significantly and now badly needs to be repaired.

“The condition of the building is worsened by the extensive use of asbestos in the construction and repairs are now more complex and expensive because of the obvious health and safety issues to be considered.

“The proposed building will revive the village centre, which will be based around the various uses of learning, leisure, health and wellbeing for the community, which includes the primary school.

“The enhanced component parts of the building will provide improved accommodation for all the users and also open up new opportunities.

“The project is exciting and will re-energise the community, which in recent years has seen the village shop temporarily closed, the church closed for repairs and deterioration of the hall, which is now showing its age.”

The new hall would be slightly larger than the existing facility and would see a range of improvements.

Access to the building would be improved, while there would be an upgrade to the kitchen and heating.

The changes would also allow the building to be used by more than one group at a time.