A south Norfolk village could be set for a modern new community hall after plans were submitted on open ground.

Kenninghall Parish Council wants to replace its ageing village hall on land close to the existing building in School Close. It comes after planning permission was granted by Breckland Councillors in 2009 to demolish and build 12 new homes on the site of the Kenninghall Memorial Hall.

Construction of the housing development would help pay for a new hall on land to the north of School Close to meet the needs of the growing village.

In an application to Breckland Council, Peter Gooderham, of Purcell Miller Tritton, agent for Kenninghall Parish Council, said the proposal was to build a new multi-function village hall suitable for amateur dramatics, Scouts, indoor bowls, sports, meetings, dance classes and private functions.

'The proposal will provide a facility suitable for the needs of this growing community. The existing facility is now beyond practical repair and has reached the end of its intended lifespan.'

'The sale of the land will go some way to providing the new hall, which will be sustainable and flexible for its intended mixed uses, both now and the foreseeable future,' he said.

The site of the proposed hall is within a flood risk zone, but the footprint of the new building would be outside of the zone, says the application. The existing access to the old hall will be retained with parking provision for 50 cars.

Residents have until January 11 to comment on the application and a Breckland Council planning committee is due to make a decision sometime in February.