CHIPPING Campden residents will have to foot the bill for a parish poll on the town's bid to buy its former police station.

Campaigners opposed to the scheme have forced the poll, costing an estimated £1,500 and £2,000 which will have to come from the town's council tax.

Even if the vote goes against the town council plan, the council does not have to take notice, and has already said it will probably press ahead with the purchase, regardless of the outcome.

About 150 people crowded into the hall at St Catharine's School on Tuesday night for a sometimes-heated public meeting called by campaigners worried that buying the station will leave the town council tax-payers with a hefty bill for many years. The council says it will put £16 a year on the average band D tax.

Eleven opponents then called for a parish poll, one more than the minimum needed. Herbert Lane, a main opponent, told the packed hall: "We feel the project should be dropped because the balance of benefits and costs is not satisfactory." He also criticised the scheme to build social housing at the rear of the site.

Clive Constable, the only town councillor to vote against the plans, added his voice, saying: "I sincerely hope it does succeed, but I'm still against it for the simple reason there is a large capital cost involved." He added: "If you are absolutely sure this will work, then the best of luck but if things go pear-shaped you could be putting a great debt on this community for years."

Some queried where users of the station would park if housing is built and cast doubts on the scheme's commercial viability.

Several other residents spoke up in favour of the scheme, especially the social housing, which they hope will allow young people forced out by high prices to return in the town. Yvonne Hobbs said: "I have three daughters and each has to move out of Campden because they can't afford to stay. I don't see why young people should be pushed to the outside."

Fellow resident David Atkinson said: "The only housing we really want is housing that will help to keep young people here."

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