IMPROVEMENT plans for the Marchants Hill Activity Centre in Hindhead have made it over the first planning hurdle despite concerns over the scale of development in the green belt. Proposals to erect a new reception, dining area, IT suite and replacement accommodation were supported by the majority of members of Waverley Borough Council's southern planning committee. Councillors heard last Tuesday that the centre's new owner, PGL Travel Ltd, was embarking on a major project to bring the education and activity centre in Tilford Road up to standard. The outline planning application is seeking permission in principle for redevelopment over a number of years. Most of the existing buildings are being replaced, with the exception of the three new dormitory blocks, the staff accommodation, toilet blocks, rifle range and store and a small bungalow. "It is proposed to provide two new replacement dormitories, a new two-storey IT suite on the site of the existing reception area, a new sports hall where the existing dining facility is located and a new administration, office and reception building which will be mostly two storey at the southern end of the site," the committee's report said. "Indicative floor areas have been shown for these buildings which would provide a total of 3,828 sq.m representing an increase of 70 per cent in the floor area. "However in terms of footprint there would be a reduction of 66 square metres. "The difference has arisen through the inclusion of two-storey elements. "Guest accommodation would remain at 400 but be upgraded with en-suite facilities and disabled access." Case officer Ann Wright told councillors that the applicant was attempting to "consolidate" the buildings on the site and create "a business premises suitable for the 21st century". "The accommodation is of a standard which is no longer acceptable in this day and age," she said. "There is no toilet. The children have to cross over to the other side of the track to the toilet block." Hindhead's borough councillor David Harmer told fellow councillors that although he supported the idea of the centre updating itself he was opposed to the application because of its effect on the countryside and the risk of setting a double standard. "This is the green belt and it runs just at the back of Tilford Road," he said. "It is very difficult to explain to the public why people who want to make very modest changes are not allowed if PGL were able to make changes of this substance. I don't see that there is any justification for it." Mr Harmer said that a 70 per cent increase in the floor area was far too much for the green belt location and that he did not feel that the business should not be given any special treatment. "It does not seem to me that we should be allowing this sort of development in this area," he said. Similar concerns were expressed by other members of the committee, who said that they did not want to send out the wrong message to Hindhead residents who are unable to make changes to their homes. However, the councillors said that the centre desperately needed to be updated. "It really does need this," Haslemere East and Grayswood councillor James Mackie said. "I support the officer on this one - it has got to be done." He was supported by Chiddingfold and Dunsfold councillor David Inman, who said that the centre was very important to the local area. "We are trying really hard to support educational establishments in the borough and I think that this does qualify as an educational establishment." Chairman Peter Isherwood said that he understood there would be local concerns but in this case the changes were needed. Ann Wright pointed out to the councillors that the application was in outline form meaning that only the positioning of the buildings and the means of accessing the site were to be agreed. A further detailed application over the design of the buildings would be submitted at a later date. After a vote members of the southern planning committee agreed to recommend that the application be approved. Its recommendation will now go forward to the council's development control committee, which will have the final say on the plans when it meets in January.