BURITON could have its new village shop up and running in the autumn.

Last week a meeting launched the Buriton Village Shop Association and more than 60 residents were present to hear an update on the shop planned for part of the Five Bells in the heart of the village. It will include a grocer, post office, off-licence and newsagent.

David Fisher of the Village Retail Services Association, which supports village shop projects, told villagers how crucial the association is to the success of the shop.

"The association underpins the whole project," said Mr Fisher, "and tells your management committee and the person who runs the shop that you are right behind their endeavours.

"Being a member of the association confirms your support and commitment to this vital part of village life."

More than 80 people have already become members and the association is putting its recruitment drive into top gear in an attempt to boost the number towards 200 in the weeks ahead.

Association secretary Tim Mitford was delighted with the number of villagers at the meeting.

"We signed up more than 80 members on the night and we know from our surveys of the village than many more people wish to join.

"There is tremendous goodwill towards this project right across the village."

Association chairman Richard Robinson took time at the start of the meeting to thank the many people who had helped the project in its early stages of development.

"We have had support and expertise from a wide range of people who know how important this project is to the village," he said, "and both Buriton tennis and cricket clubs have chipped in with financial support."

The association is also moving ahead with negotiations with a tenant shopkeeper.

Villagers are being encouraged to join the association for a £5 membership fee (£1 for under 18s).

Membership forms are available from the existing post office in the High Street.

r The new shop was expected to be given the go-ahead by East Hampshire District Council's planning committee last night (Thursday).

Planning officers had recommended acceptance of the application from Buriton Village Shop Association for change of use from holiday accommodation to shop and post office at part of the Five Bells public house.

If councillors agree, the permission would be solely for the benefit of the association, to prevent any other retail business operating from the premises.

Officers considered that although the proposal would result in the loss of holiday accommodation, the retention of the shop would be of greater importance to the viability and vitality of the village than the loss of one holiday let.

The change of use would be restricted to three years, the length of the lease, for highway safety reasons.

The visibility to and from the site is very restricted, especially in a northerly direction.

A temporary traffic-calming measure is proposed to push traffic away from the corner of the public house so that pedestrians can see round the building before stepping out. A shallow table-ramp and extended railings outside the school were also proposed.