THE future of a Galleywood pub hangs in the balance as council officers plan to plough ahead with controversial proposals to build a convenience store just 12 metres away.

A Co-op store could be built on the  car park and beer garden of The Eagle, in Stock Road, after Chelmsford City Council last year recommended plans for approval. Villagers rallied together to send more than 400 objection letters to the council, with many arguing it would ruin the viability of the pub, ahead of the planning committee’s final decision, next Tuesday.

If successful, the supermarket giant will transform parts of the beer garden and car park, forcing the pub to share 26 car parking bays.

A campaigner, who has been using the pub for 14 years, labelled the proposals “unfair on the community”.

Kim Butler, a 50-year-old housewife who lives in Rignals Lane, Galleywood, met her husband there in 2003.

She said: “If the beer garden goes it will stop families coming to the pub, which is important for it to survive.

“There are so many reasons why people are objecting. There is the nature reserve opposite which will be affected, an increase in cars, and the garden is an important part of the community here.

“In a year it has raised about £3,000 for charities with various fundraisers. If the plans go ahead people will just stop coming to the pub. No families will want to sit on the proposed concrete patio with their children when there’s a 40mph road outside.”

She also issued a rallying call for residents to voice their disapproval to the council at Tuesday’s meeting. which will be held in the Chelmsford Civic Centre, Fairfield Road from 7pm.

Mrs Butler added: “We’re hoping for around 30 people to turn up, but it could be more.”