Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has intervened in a controversial planning proposal to demolish a village club.

The MP has written to Steve Edgeller, agent for the Royal British Legion, which recently operated in Seaton as The Grayson, after plans were submitted to Allerdale Council proposing to demolish the building.

In his letter, Mr Jenkinson said he felt compelled to write because of what he considered to be “an egregious attempted abuse of the planning system, and an attempt to circumvent that process”.

He said: “You appear to have gone to significant lengths in an attempt to suggest that the current use class is not A4 (drinking establishments)” and highlighted that “the building is the subject of nomination as an Asset of Community Value by Seaton Parish Council”.

He added that, since 2009, access had not been restricted to members, in theory or practice, the building was far from vacant and the tenant was expecting to continue to trade.

However, Mr Edgeller replied to the council disputing a change of licence in 2009.

He said: “The premises licence application was to allow the club to sell alcohol to members of the public attending booked functions, when the previous premises certificate had only allowed the supply of alcohol to members and their guests.

“It did not result in the change of use of the premises to a drinking establishment in use class 4.”

He went on to disagree that access was not restricted to members and that the club remained in use as a private members club.

He added: “Any use as a drinking establishment would have been unlawful and enforceable as a breach of planning control and for these reasons the current lawful use of the property is Sui Generis.”

Linsey Devlin, 40, a former barmaid at the pub, had already started revamping the building to reopen it once coronavirus restrictions were lifted. She said: “I’m in shock. The last time permission was given to knock down part of it, it caused uproar in the village. Now everybody is in lockdown, people can’t come together. I will fight until there’s absolutely no hope left.”

Despite making arrangements for a premises licence and alcohol licence to be in place, Linsey admitted a formal agreement with the British Legion for her to take over the club was not in place. The Legion had previously gained permission to knock down part of the building to create access for a housing development in the field behind it.

So far, 60 people have objected to the demolition on the Allerdale Council planning portal.

She was hoping to introduce a new pool table, jukebox and have karaoke nights.

“We have so many people who come in and this is the only place they come to socialise, it’s like a community hub.”

A spokesman for the RBL said the building was structurally unsafe.

They said: “The building is vacant and no new lease has been agreed with anyone. The building is run down, dangerous and structurally unsafe.”

In documents submitted to Allerdale council, the RBL said the previous tenant had decided not to keep the club going as the Grayson once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Danny Horsley, councillor for Seaton on Allerdale and the parish council, fears this is yet another plan to go ahead with a 100-home development by the Copsey family, which has declined to talk to the press.

They had submitted a number of applications for the site which were opposed by villagers, who organised themselves into the Low Seaton anti-development group in response.

Coun Horsley said: “The building should have been offered for sale to the community, but this has been done behind closed doors and we’re fighting an invisible enemy.

“It’s disgraceful that this is being done now, because people can’t get together and do something about it. It’s really put a knife into people’s backs.”

He will be supporting Linsey in finding a way of saving the club.

He added: “People are upset and angry.

“It’s been taken away from them behind closed doors.”