MILLION-pound plans to revolutionise sport in Petersfield over the next 10 years are on the drawing board. A new all-weather pitch, pavilion and changing rooms are in the pipeline to provide a major boost for the town's rugby, cricket, football and hockey teams. The Herald can exclusively reveal that discussions are taking place between sports clubs and East Hampshire District Council that could lead to an extensive overhaul of current facilities in the town. Up to £1m could be ploughed into the town's football club to fund its proposed move to another site and to provide a state-of-the-art all weather pitch (ATP). A further £0.5m project could fund a much- needed extension to the Petersfield Rugby Club pavilion. And currently under the microscope are plans for: l A possible merger of the town's cricket and rugby clubs to create a multi-sports facility at Penns Place; l Extra changing rooms at the Taro Leisure Centre; l Further tennis facilities at Penns Place to follow in the next two years. Under the new plans, cricketers would use the rugby club changing rooms and share the revamped pavilion in the summer. And the football club (PTFC) could be in line for a huge investment to help fund a move away from the Love Lane pitch which is currently preventing them from gaining promotion. A new stand could also house extra fans on match days, with the all-weather pitch following for the town juniors. East Hampshire District Council leader Andrew Pattie told The Herald that the plans were just some of the ideas currently being discussed, and that more would be revealed in the coming weeks. He said: "We have been discussing the possibility of using the area around Penns Place. It would be a good sustainable area for sports. "I'm pretty hopeful that with the appropriate will and money it could well happen. And substantial money is available if it does happen. "There is a lot planned and we are moving forward. There are a number of things coming together. "We are keen to start thinking about the next 10 years. The timing is right to do a lot of really good things." The news will come as a major boost to sports enthusiasts in the area who have long campaigned for better facilities. At present, sports men and women are forced to travel as far as Liphook or Havant to use ATP facilities. But they could soon have an artificial sports ground of their own if EHDC finalises its negotiations. Mr Pattie added talks were at an early stage and that EHDC would have to match grants from sports organisations to help fund some of the more ambitious plans. "We are in early days discussions. The cricket club may well move to join the rugby club, using their pavilion. "The RFU (Rugby Football Union) have offered funds but want us to match any grant they make." And he confirmed the Football Federation would be involved in any potential move should PTFC leave its current location. "The football club wants to move. At the moment they cannot get promoted because of the nature of their pitch. "The town juniors have been wanting to move somewhere better and that would kick in to motion the possibility of changing rooms in the Taro. "It would require huge investment and might also mean an all-weather pitch. "A lot of headmasters in the area are also keen on sport. "All in all it is an auspicious time. Lots and lots of people are coming together and we must strike while the iron is hot." Last week Petersfield Town Council went behind closed doors to discuss the future developments with an EHDC officer. Grounds committee chairman Chris Jenner now says it was wrong that the public and press were excluded from the meeting. And he criticised EHDC for not putting members in the picture earlier, especially as some of the land under discussion was owned by the town council. He said: "I knew nothing about it prior to last week's meeting. I was totally in the dark with it. "I think we have been brought into it late in the day. It is not in its infant stages any more. "There is strict criteria for excluding people from the council meetings. And I do not think it was confidential material." Cliff Fairley, the rugby club president, would not comment on EHDC's plans but said the club was still looking for funds to pay for new changing rooms. Future sporting developments will be discussed again at a meeting of the town council on August 1.