A FACELIFT is on the cards for Beacon Hill if new funding comes through as expected. The cash is set to come from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) if final approval is granted for the scheme. It is hoped that work will start later this year. Plans are in place to revamp pavements, create a zebra crossing at Beacon Hill School, upgrade lighting, bins and noticeboards and improve playground equipment in the village. There will also be a series of activities to encourage business development and marketing opportunities for shops and businesses in the village. The Haslemere Initiative was advised that it was eligible to apply for £40,000 of SEEDA funding at the end of last year, following the completion of its "Market Towns Healthcheck Survey". Retailers, residents, and other local groups met to put forward ideas on how to regenerate the area. John Dangerfield, the owner of "Headmasters" in Beacon Hill, said he was delighted with the project and positive that it would make a significant difference to the village . He said: "We have discussed this idea long and hard over many late evenings right here in my shop and we really think it meets lots of the needs of the businesses, shoppers and the locals too. "We hope that everyone will get behind the regeneration plan once we get the final approvals and that we will have a thriving community once again." Beacon Hill Focus Group member Kevin Lorimer added: "A great deal of work needs to be done in Beacon Hill and much of it will be undertaken as part of this project from funds we hope to secure from SEEDA, matched by money from other public and private sources. "If we get the final approval, I am sure that the commitment shown so far by the local community will continue as we fundraise." As in many small shopping areas, a number of local businesses in Beacon Hill have suffered a decrease in customer numbers in recent years, making trading difficult. The village also has several empty shops and neglected areas. But the focus group said its members were upbeat about the project and optimistic that they would receive support from the local community. Surrey county councillor David Harmer has helped to win funding for the project from Surrey County Council. He said: "I believe that it is vital to regenerate the village centre for the benefit of the whole community; for residents, businesses and visitors alike. "There is no doubt that we need to improve the appearance and safety of Beacon Hill and this project will help to do just that. "The project is a good example of partnership working, with excellent support from the Haslemere Initiative, as well as from Waverley and from Surrey County Council. But let us not forget - we still have a lot of work ahead of us." The chairman of The Haslemere Initiative, Melanie Odell, said she was delighted that the Surrey Towns Group (STG) had given its approval of the second of the three-step approval process and endorsed the SEEDA bid for the regeneration project. She added: "We are thrilled that we have reached this stage and appreciate the fantastic local team we have acquired. "The bid will now go out of Surrey, to another county, for a final external appraisal, and then, subject to no adverse comments, we hope that the Surrey Economic Partnership will sign it off in July and we'll be able to start the real work."