Campaigners have run out of time to place a bid for Merton Hall.

In an effort to "keep the hall for the community", John Chambers, who lives next door to the site, submitted a letter to Merton Council asking that a six month moratorium extended to residents allowing them to place a bid to buy the hall be extended to a full year.

"Given the unique nature of this Asset of Community Value in that it is currently owned by and being disposed of by the council at vast expense to, and against the wishes of, the majority of the borough’s residents, I ask the council to pause here and consider extending the moratorium to the full 12 months as allowed for under the Localism act 2011 due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding this bid process," the letter on behalf of the Friends of Merton Hall read.

"As I am sure you are aware although an ACV was granted on Merton Hall on January 22, 2018 and the process of securing Merton Hall began.

"The council chose to hide behind the ability of an owner to make 'alterations' to a building and rushed to demolition over 80 per cent of the building save for the façade prior to the local elections in May 2018."

But this request has now been denied.

A Merton Council spokeswoman said: “We received a request to extend the moratorium period but unfortunately the legislation that sets the timescale does not allow for any extension to the moratorium period.”

Mr Chambers thinks this could be a damning ruling.

"Centres like the Merton Hall are essential to supporting communities," he said.

"At a time when the number of opportunities for communities to interact, share spaces and appreciate and contribute to culture is in decline.

"Community spaces like Merton Hall often cut across divides of class, ethnicity, generation, gender and culture.

"Their benefits include increased personal confidence, social skills, improved physical health and mental wellbeing, as well as maintaining social interactions and social networks."

As part of a freehold swap agreement, Elim Pentecostal Church would move into the Kingston Road hall, which would then make room for it former site in High Path to be transformed into into a new mixed ability secondary school, Harris Wimbledon Academy.

A decision on the new school is due to be voted on next month.