A community hall in central Hitchin is set to be demolished before the end of the year.

Bancroft Hall has been earmarked for demolition after North Herts District Council submitted plans on Wednesday.

Councillor Tony Hunter said: “The council resolved Bancroft Hall would be closed and demolished in October 2011, but the closure would only be affected once the new North Hertfordshire Museum facility in Brand Street was opened, and the land on which the hall stands reinstated to parkland.”

However, the troubled Town Hall project, which has seen wrangling and arguments from the outset between the group formed to oversee the facility – Hitchin Town Hall Ltd – and the district council, means it is still in danger of failing to open by its October deadline.

Councillor Hunter added: “Planning permission has been submitted for approval to demolish Bancroft, which will take some weeks to process.

“Subject to planning permission being granted it will be demolished by the end of the year to coincide with creating a brand new splash park.”