A PROPOSAL to demolish the Meon Valley Travel building in Petersfield's High Street and replace it with a three-storey building is the culmination of two years' careful planning, town councillors were told this week. The managing director of Meon Valley Travel, James Beagrie, told a meeting of Petersfield Town council's planning committee on Tuesday that he had spent many months in discussion with planners, architects and conservation officers: "to make sure that our proposal for the new buildings in keeping with the street scene." He said Meon Valley Travel was not actually a listed building, but it stood close to listed buildings in the High Street. "With that in mind we have treated it as if it is a listed building because I believe we have a duty of care to do so." Mr Beagrie said the plans were a result of the fact that his business was expanding and he needed to find more space for employees. "We are very proud of what we have done and proud of what we intend to do," he told town councillors. Town councillors recommended that the plan should be approved. Ken Hick told colleagues: "I cam here tonight opposed to any demolition, but saying that, attention has been paid to detail and after the presentation by Mr Beagrie I think this plan will most probably actually enhance the street scene in much the same way that the Co-op building enhanced the street scene in The Square." The plan will now be decided at East Hampshire District Council.
