PROPOSED changes to the layout of the Forest Community Centre have been met with opposition from Whitehill Town Council.

At a meeting of the council members discussed the plans which town mayor Neil Ockenden said would Òconvert a community-used building into an office blockÓ.

Zoya Faddy felt that the changes would mean that the councilÕs offices would be ÒisolatedÓ from the rest of the building.

ÒThe plans are breaking up the liaison we have. They are isolating the town council. We want people to know we are here.Ó

The redesign would mean that all users of the community centre would use the same entrance instead of the three separate entrances currently in use.

The plans have been created by the centre with the help of East Hampshire District CouncilÕs architectural services.

Chief executive of the centre Robert Cameron hopes that the relaunch of the building will raise its public profile.

He said: ÒThe proposed changes are in the best interests of the public. We want people to know that the building is a community centre and not just the town councilÕs offices.Ó

Under the plans the area where the entrance currently is would be turned into a store room and the current reception area would be a room which could be hired by a community group.

Security would be increased with CCTV cameras placed in the corridors and a new intercom system allowing staff at reception to communicate with staff working in other areas of the building.

Mrs Faddy said: ÒThe plans are claustrophobic and the centre is not welcoming. There is a lot of wasted space in the corridors.Ó

Among the new facilities would be a bar and coffee shop, which would allow people to socialise when they visit the centre.

ÒThe reinstatement of the kitchen and servery is understandable,Ó Don Mayes said.

ÒBut I feel that the association needs to use the building to its full effect now, instead of changing it.Ó

Mr Ockenden said: ÒWe do not oppose all of the changes. We welcome the use of the two function rooms.Ó

The final touches to the plans will be made at a meeting of the community association on January 23 and the proposals will then be sent to the EHDC architect to be amended.

Mr Cameron said: ÒAfter the plans have been amended we can then set about submitting a funding bid. The community fund will be our first point of call.Ó