A PETERSFIELD organisation which caters for children with special needs has been fighting two major planning battles this week to keep its plans for the future alive.

Staff from the Acorns 2000 group spent Tuesday and Wednesday at a planning appeal in Petersfield Festival Hall to decide the fate of its controversial plans for an early years centre at The Avenue.

At the same time, EHDC planning officers were recommending refusal of an extension to use the existing temporary building on the site which could leave the groupÕs toy library and drop-in centre homeless.

Plans for an Acorns 2000 Early Years Centre at The Avenue, which would bring local childrenÕs agencies under one roof, were refused by district council planning officers last year.

It was claimed that the building would result in the loss of important public open space close to the centre of the town.

But the location is one of the most attractive features of the site for Acorns 2000 staff, who claim it is in a perfect position for a breakfast and after-school club for children from the Petersfield InfantsÕ School in St PeterÕs Road.

Chairman of the Early Years Centre committee Anne Hammond said she had been despondent when the plans were turned down by EHDC planning officers.

The Acorns 2000 group immediately lodged an appeal against the decision and the public inquiry was held at the Festival Hall this week.

Planning inspector Nicholas Freeman heard both sides of the appeal and addresses from members of the public, councillors and other early years workers from East Hampshire.

Petersfield district councillor Teresa Jamieson said she supported the principle of an early years centre but did not agree with the proposed site.

Early years worker Linda Carr from Greatham urged Mr Freeman to remember the children and parents who rely on the services provided by the Acorns 2000 group when considering the appeal.

At the inquiry EHDC planning consultant John Pratt considered alternative sites for the centre.

He said land at Borough Road was unsuitable as it is too steep for the development. But he claimed a site at the Love Lane playing fields could be Òan ideal site for the centreÓ.

He said: ÒIÕm not saying this is where the centre should go but it is certainly a location that should be considered.

ÒItÕs close to the centre of town, an easy route for buses and itÕs closer to the railway station than The Avenue site. It also has a very large car park.Ó

Mr Pratt pointed out that an early years centre in Waterlooville has been built within the grounds of a school.

He said there should be some evidence from the Acorns group or planning consultant Kris Mitra Associates that this possibility has been investigated in Petersfield.

A decision on the early years centre appeal is expected within the next six weeks.

The Acorns 2000 group is also facing a battle to keep its toy library and drop-in centre at the temporary cabin.

The cabin was given permission to be sited next to The Avenue pavilion for two years in 1994.

When the agreement ran out, the district council agreed to allow an extension so the group could continue to look for a new site. The council allowed a second extension in 1999.

But at a meeting yesterday (Thursday) night councillors were being advised to turn down the latest application for an extension.

This means the Acorns toy library and drop-in centre will be left homeless.

In a report on the application, EHDC planning officer Chris Lyons said: ÒThe council has been more than generous in allowing two further temporary consents due to the apparent problems in finding a suitable site which has led to the postponement of the applicantÕs plans.

ÒIn allowing the second renewal, the council was being even more supportive than government advice would allow.Ó

A report of Thursday nightÕs EHDC south planning meeting will appear in next weekÕs Herald.