PLANS for a new sports centre are progressing, the aim being for a new facility on the existing site. Planners went back to the drawing board earlier this year when the original consultants, engaged by East Hampshire District Council to come up with option to refurbish or replace Alton's ageing facility, misread the requirement and came up with a proposal for a smaller facility. According to Alton councillor Melissa Maynard, the emphasis is now firmly on "getting the right mix of facilities for Alton, to meet the current and future requirements" of a fast-developing catchment area, rather than cutting the coat to fit the cloth. For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.