People living in Halling are being urged to go along to the parish council meeting tonight if they want to learn more about the council’s plans for the former village fire station.

The meeting, which is being held at the Community Centre from 7.30pm, will feature an update on the situation, from Halling Fire station committee chairman, Kelly Talbot.

Parish councillors formed a committee to decide what to do with the former fire station as it is at the centre of a row between villagers who want to see the disused building sold.

Residents in Halling say they are unhappy with the parish council’s decision to stall a possible £175,000 sale of the premises to the local Baptist church.

They claim the decision was already made several years ago when a business review report was produced and discussed at a council meeting.

The villagers say at the time a vote was held and it was agreed that the most viable and profitable option was to sell it.

However, since that decision was made, the council has changed and new members have been appointed.

Many villagers say it makes much more sense to sell it to the church, as it will still be used by the community.

The fire station committee was formed at a meeting in December and many villagers expressed their views on what they thought should be done with the building.

Despite protests from residents, the parish council decided to set up the special committee to carry out a feasibility study and business plan to explore all the best options.

The fire station, which now belongs to the Halling community, was closed due to cuts in 2012.

Some residents feel so strongly about it they have signed an online petition calling for the building to be sold immediately.

Kevyn Whiteman set up the petition and asked people to sign if they think the building should be sold now.

Ms Whiteman said: “My goal is to reach 1000 signatures and really hope to reach the majority of Halling villagers.

She will be outside the community centre before the meeting trying to drum up more support.

The decision to hold a review had angered many villagers and at the first special committee meeting, chairman Kelly Talbot admitted members didn’t have all the facts and figures relating to the fire station’s first business report to hand.

Others felt the if the offer from the church was not snapped up soon, the offer to buy it could be withdrawn.

However, Kevin Felix-Hollington, the pastor of Halling Baptist Church, told the Medway Messenger the £175,000 offer would until the committee had completed its fact-finding mission in March.

The fire station was purchased by the parish council on behalf of the community after housing giant Redrow, which had built a large new estate in the area, donated £100,000.

It was hoped the purchase would enable the parish council to sell on the building for a profit and the intention was to plough their profits back into the community.

During this evening’s meeting villagers will also be able to ask questions to the committee during parishioners’ question time which lasts 30 minutes.

So far, 79 people have signed the petition, you would like to sign it visit www.change.org/p/halling-parish-council-175k-for-halling-village-now