A crucial test of public opinion on the future of a sports and social club will be held this evening.

A public poll on the future of the council-owned Ongar Social and Sports Club, in Love Lane, will be held by Epping Forest District Council between 4pm and 9pm today, after it was called for by 40 members of the public at a parish meeting on November 13.

There will be three polling stations open around Ongar, asking people: “Do you want Ongar Town Council to take over the management and day to day running of Ongar Social and Sports Club and the Love Lane site, which is currently being leased to the Club?”

The result of the poll could be the greatest challenge yet to the town council’s takeover plans for the club, which have been a topic of lengthy and bitter dispute in Ongar.

The council has already hired a new manager to take over the running of the club when the current committee’s lease runs out in February, and the result of the poll will not be legally binding.

The result of the poll, which could cost taxpayers up to £5,000, will be announced on January 15 at the council’s finance committee meeting.

The three poll stations are at Budworth Hall on Ongar High Street, St James’ church hall on St James’ Avenue and Ongar Health Centre on Fyfield Road.