PETERSFIELD Square looks set to get yet another cafe after town councillors gave the thumbs up for plans to convert the disused toilets beside the church. East Hampshire District Council will make the final decision on the planning application from businessman Ashley Pirt, but town councillors say they have no objections as long as the historic arches are preserved. The building next to the Market Inn has been bought by Mr Pirt for an astonishing £175,000, and he has applied for planning permission to change its use so that he can open a continental-style cafe. On Tuesday night, members of the town council's planning committee backed the plan on the grounds that it would be good to see the old building back in use. But Ken Hick reminded councillors of the historic importance of the arches: "Nothing should happen to the arches. They were the arches featured on the 1780 Petersfield Town Hall and they should be preserved." Committee chairman Mary Vincent was also concerned about the loss of one of the trees in front of the disused toilets: "I am concerned about the trees, I like to see them in The Square." She added that she couldn't see how the owner is going to get his money back as it was yet another coffee shop in the town. But Vaughan Clarke echoed the feelings of councillors when he told the meeting: "It is nice to see plans for the building to be used again." The back part of the toilet block was known as the Hurdle House and used to store the hurdles used in the Market Square. At one time, the building was also used as an office for the market superintendent, but it has now been disused for more than 10 years.
