THERE is a fresh twist in the ongoing attempt to provide Petersfield with million-pound sports facilities after secret talks to discuss an ambitious land swap deal. If successful the plan could result in a much- needed new ground for Petersfield Town Football Club and a new state-of-the-art all- weather pitch. Last month Churcher's College encountered strong opposition from residents to a plan for an artificial turf pitch on its land. But now East Hampshire District Council has proposed a new swap deal which would see the college building it on town council land at Love Lane and scrapping the unpopular scheme to site it near Shear Hill. The football club would move to Churcher's-owned land at Penns Place. But the plan hinges on who would provide funds and whether planning permission can be obtained. Football club secretary Mark Nicholl said he had attended a meeting with Churcher's College and the town council in September where the proposals were put forward. "At the moment the plans are very embryonic. We have had a preliminary meeting with the council and Churcher's in the last few weeks," said Mr Nicholl. "But we have not even discussed it at committee stage. We have barely scratched the surface. "We are certainly interested in principle but we would need to put practical flesh on the bones. "The main attraction of moving would be to have a level pitch. At the moment our current pitch is not an immediate concern in terms of FA regulations, but it could be different in the future. "So that is one of the reasons we are interested. "Churcher's are quite interested in it too, but there are a lot of questions still to be asked." Meanwhile town councillors, despite being supportive of the plans in principle, admit to being in the dark over the proposals. Town mayor Vaughan Clarke said that any date for completion would be a long way in the future and that talks had so far been confidential, as they were at an early stage. He said: "My understanding is that it would be value-based rather than just a straight land swap. The football land would be worth more, but having said that, the work the club would need to do would be quite considerable. "For the football club to be in the Wessex League the ground has to be to a certain specification. "And for them to move they have got to have somewhere ready to go. "I'm in favour of future sports improvements in the area and have no conceptual objection." But the chairman of the grounds committee, Chris Jenner, voiced concern about future planning obstacles and said there was an element of "confusion" about the scheme. "I'm chairman of grounds and I was not aware of it. It's all in limbo because we do not know what is going on. It seems there have been various meetings here and there," he told The Herald. "EHDC told the town council that Churcher's could put their astro pitch at Love Lane. "There is no planning permission for either site yet, but remember the problems the college had with trying to get permission for the junior school on that land." In July EHDC leader Andrew Pattie told The Herald the district intended to revolutionise sport in the area, creating a "multi-sports" facility at Penns Place. He said it would involve a revamped pavilion for the rugby club, extra changing rooms at the Taro Centre and more tennis courts. At the time, Mr Pattie told The Herald: "Penns Place ... 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. "The football club wants to move. At the moment they cannot get promoted because of the nature of their pitch. "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. Simon Williams, the headmaster of Churcher's, who is leading the school's search for an astro turf pitch, was away from college this week and unavailable for comment as The Herald went to press.
