PETERSFIELD town councillors have thrown their weight behind an application to extend the Acorns 2000 groupÕs use of the cabin next to The Avenue pavilion.
Without this the group could be left homeless as plans to build an early years centre, designed to bring all the townÕs childrenÕs agencies under one roof, were turned down by East Hampshire District Council.
Petersfield Town CouncilÕs planning committee raised objections to the early years centre but said it would support the project in principle.
EHDC decided to refuse the plans on the grounds that the development would constitute a loss of public open space.
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Fury in Froxfield as East Hampshire landlord tells Labour MPs: "You're barred"At Tuesday nightÕs meeting of the town councilÕs planning committee George Watkinson said the extension of permission to use the cabin was extremely important.
He said: ÒIf they donÕt get this it could result in the closing down of a unit that is essential to Petersfield. We did have one or two reservations about the building of the early years centre but we supported it in principle.Ó
Chris Jenner added: ÒI think we should strongly recommend that this application is accepted on social grounds more than anything else.Ó
District councillor Bob Ayer said EHDC had also been supportive of the Acorns group.
He said: ÒWhen they refused the application for the building, planners did say they would assist them in finding an alternative site.Ó
Mr Jenner pointed out that the centre might have been given the go-ahead had Tesco not reneged on its promise to hand the Water Meadows public open space back to the town after the supermarket was built.
Chairman of the early years centre committee Anne Hammond is now preparing for an appeal against EHDCÕs decision which is set to take place in March
She said: ÒWe still have the support of the town council and half of the services we hope to offer are happening there now.
ÒThis site is central, itÕs accessible and itÕs within walking distance of the schools. The centre needs to be close to the schools for a breakfast club and after-school clubs.
ÒThis site also has open space for children so that they can be outside when the weather is suitable.Ó
The inquiry will take place at the district council offices at Penns Place in Petersfield on March 5.