THE future of a community shop is uncertain after applying for an extension of their current temporary planning permission.

Gosfield Community Shop has applied for the extension in order to complete a permanent building for the shop.

The shop is currently positioned in a purpose designed modular building at the playing field car park in Gosfield, next to the Playing Field Pavilion.

It was established when the previous village shop, G and S Stores of Church Road, closed after almost 45 years of trading.

The Gosfield Community Shop is ran by 45 volunteers and opens seven days a week.

It's considered an important service to locals, including the three schools, providing a hub of activity for the village and the surrounding villages as well as a vast selection of fresh daily goods, newspapers and tobacco.

The Parish Council are unanimously supporting the build of a new Community Shop in Gosfield.

Bob Waters, chairman of the Parish Council, said: "I will be speaking on behalf of the Parish Council at the Planning Meeting next Tuesday in favour of an extension to the permission for the shop to remain until such time as a new building can be arranged.

"The Planning officials who are opposed to the extension are going by the book in that it is a temporary permission and should not be extended.

"However, this is counter-balanced by the weight of public opinion in the village.

"The shop is well used and is in an ideal position on the playing field which has good parking and is in the centre of the village.

"In summer time it is a magnet for children and Parents from the three schools in Gosfield and is close to the popular children's play area.

"The Parish Council have always been solidly behind the shop which represents a successful community enterprise.

"An extension of another three years to the planning permission would give time for a more permanent solution to be found, probably an extension to the Sports Pavilion, though this has not been discussed by the Parish Council yet.

"It is difficult to see any other site in the village becoming available which has the convenience of the playing field.

The future of the Gosfield Village Community Shop will be determined by the Braintree District Council Planning Committee at its meeting on Tuesday December 11, at 7.15pm.