Hopes are high that a new village hall could be built in Lamplugh.

The Village Hall Committee says it is "delighted" to have received a £9,900 Lottery grant that will pay for a feasibility study into the hall's future.

The 12-month architect's study, says the committee's Bob Marshall, will determine if the existing hall could be further improved, or whether building a new hall would be more beneficial.

The money has been granted through the Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All scheme.

Mr Marshall said: "The committee favours the new-build course of action, as part of that plan would be to provide a much-needed car parking area on the site of the existing building."

The committee formed in 2008 and took ownership of the hall that had been built in 1934 for the Lamplugh Women's Institute.

It has been able to carry out a number of cosmetic improvement since that time, including a heating upgrade and new projection equipment and a big screen.

The venue regularly hosts live music, theatre, film nights and community events.

Mr Marshall added: "Despite the significant improvements, the building lacks many amenities such as storage, separate meeting room and 'green' benefits; the structure itself will need a lot of attention in the not-too-distant future.

"The committee is very much indebted to our adjoining landowner who allowed access to an area of land behind the present building to be considered as a site for a new building.

"With the feasibility study to include the initial design for the new hall premises, the committee are facing – and looking forward to – the challenge, and gaining local support that was evidenced in a significant parish survey completed just over a year ago."