PLANS for Alton's new community centre are currently undergoing some "imaginative, lateral thinking" to overcome government guidelines about building on flood plains. Despite the diminutive size of the River Wey as it runs through Alton, concerns have been raised by the Environment Agency about the proximity of the proposed new building to the river. Ultimately based on flood risk, the new guideline has put an unforeseen "spanner in the works" which has left the £2.5 million project far behind schedule. But, Alton residents are assured, the proposal is still "very much alive" and it will go ahead. Having enjoyed another good year of positive growth, Alton Community Centre is said to be better placed than ever before to move forward and is crying out for a more modern, purpose-built centre in which to expand. Fingers are being crossed, however, that Environment Agency officers will reach a compromise over a recently-introduced planning policy guideline which places an eight metre "no-build" exclusion zone along river banks to accommodate the river flood plain. Designed to minimise the risk of flooding, the legislation does not appear to allow for the size of the river - and thereby hangs the crux. If taken literally, this guideline could put the kibosh on Alton's plan to build a new community centre in the Bank car park, close to the river. And it would dramatically knock the value of the existing community centre site which could not be redeveloped across the same area. The ruling could also throw into question other redevelopment plans for such as the old library site. It is a situation described by Alton Community Centre manager Richard Swainston as "bureaucracy gone mad" - but one he was confident would be resolved. He said that officers from the Environment Agency and East Hampshire District Council's planning department had visited the site before Christmas in order to witness for themselves the size of the River Wey as it passes through Alton. "It is just a stream which, due to past extraction and to its nature as a winterborne, often runs completely dry. It can hardly be considered in the same light as a major river like the Thames or the Severn," pointed out Mr Swainston, who is fearful that this one potential problem could put the entire project in jeopardy. Despite these fears, the mood among the project team remains positive. Overseeing the project, EHDC head of community Andy Ferrier is keen to stress that the scheme is "still very much alive and well". "EHDC remains committed to the project. We have a project manager and an architect on board and are raring to go. The community centre itself has turned a corner - the trustees are very go-ahead and the manager is good. The scheme is not lost. We will do it but it is a big project and it is taking time to get to the starting blocks," he said. While the Environment Agency officers have gone away to consider the level of flood risk, thought is being given to a solution which could involve the development of the whole site, embracing the existing building and part of the car park, to provide for a mix of housing, commercial and community use. "We are being forced to be more creative," said Richard Swainston who believes that such a scheme could address the district council's need for low-cost housing while providing a centre to house ACC activities, the CAB and the TIC. It would also make the project more viable and help to bridge the current funding gap. The downside is that the project would have to be phased, presenting a problem for ACC which at some stage would have to temporarily relocate some of its activities, resulting in loss of income and additional expenditure. "It would take a lot of working out as we are running at capacity at the moment," said Mr Swainston. If it is a problem at all, it is borne out of success. According to the manager, following a 30 per cent increase in turnover the previous year, 2005 has shown a further 25 per cent increase across the board. "We has a surplus of £8k this year based on a 25 per cent increase in turnover to more than £300k," said a delighted Mr Swainston. The level of activity is "exploding" with a marked increase in room hire and a leisure learning programme which has celebrated its first birthday with double the turnover. "We currently have 16 venues offering over 100 courses with more than 75 tutors and more than 1000 students studying," said Mr Swainston who is now looking to fill the gaps in provision by increasing coverage in the rural areas. The centre is also preparing to make "a big thrust" this year to develop youth related activities. Mr Swainston is upbeat about the future. "ACA is in good shape now. We are more profitable and more active and we are being taken more seriously so it is easier to get funding. "Despite the difficulties, no-one is giving up on the new build project - it is certainly going ahead. We have too much to lose, too much investment in terms of time and money, and we want to succeed." The Environment Agency has confirmed that Planning Policy Guideline (PPG25) introduced in 2001 refers to an 8m no-build exclusion zone which is applied to all main rivers - and the River Wey is classified as a main river. As well as minimising flood risk the aim is to protect wildlife habitats by providing a corridor along the margin of the river. However, each case is looked at on its individual merit and a degree of flexibility will be shown depending on the ability to demonstrate sufficient flood mitigation measures.
