A POPULAR community centre used by 18,000 people a year is set to close due to access problems which its committee says could make the centre 'financially unviable'.

Last weekend, around 80 people gathered outside Winkleigh Community Centre to demonstrate their support for the facility, which is set to close at the end of February.

Devon County Council agreed to sell the building to the community in 2008 for a nominal fee of £1 as part of its surplus property disposal policy.

The council granted permission for the community to use the Grade II listed former school building, but refused to guarantee long-term access to the site's car parking facilities, which would remain council property.

The issue of the car park has been disputed for more than two years and culminated when the community centre's lawyers informed the council before Christmas that, despite the restrictions being known since July 2008, they were too onerous.

The community group, through its solicitor, has formally withdrawn from the negotiations.

Chairman of the Community Centre Committee Roger Smith said: 'At first when the council said we could have the building for a nominal fee, we were absolutely ecstatic. It meant we would be able to provide a wonderful facility for the people of Winkleigh.

'However, when Devon County Council said they would not guarantee us long term use of the car park, we had to seriously consider the financial stability of the project.

'Whilst the facility was to be run as a not-for-profit organisation, we realised significant amounts of work would have to be done on the centre to restore and maintain it.

The unacceptable restrictions on the use of the car park will mean restrictions on use of the centre, as the car park represents the only disabled access to the facility, and of course a lack of car parking makes it difficult for less mobile people to come to the centre.

'Of course, for a community building like this, fewer users means lower income, and with bills and maintenance costs, that was not a realistic situation.

'Going ahead with the project with these restrictions in place could have meant the centre was financially unviable.'

Roland Smith, musical director of the Winkleigh Singers, who use the centre, said: 'We've been using the centre for the last eleven years and the room we use there is ideally suited for us.

'There are other options in the village, but the rooms are either too large or too small.

'If the community centre closes there will be cost implications for us, as we will have to pay to hire a larger room elsewhere in the village.

'It will be a loss to the community as a whole. From what I can tell the centre is very well used. We use the room just 15 minutes after the previous group leave.'

Torridge District Councillor for Winkleigh David Lauson said: 'I am cautiously optimistic that a compromise will be agreed on this issue.

'I was at Devon County Council on Friday and discussed with them all the concerns of the community. I've had more communications from them today (Monday) and I'm hopeful we'll be able to get an agreement.

'We have an elderly population in the village, and you do need disabled access and car parking facilities.

'This is a well used facility, the building has a lot of history, and it is much loved by the people of the village, so I hope and pray we will get a compromise.'

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: 'We have been keen to see this matter progress quickly and smoothly and we have never varied from our original agreement.'