AFTER a year of discussion and debate, Petersfield Town Council is set to agree terms that could see a youth centre built in a residential road.
The way forward document will outline in principle the council’s terms and conditions for building a proposed youth centre on playing fields at The Avenue.
It is very likely the council will build and own it; it will then be leased to the Kings Arms (KA) youth centre for up to 75 years.
At the moment KA has a rolling two year lease on buildings in the Festival Hall car park, the latest lease is due to run out in August 2018.
There are ambitions to redevelop the site, but so far each time the KA lease expires, it is renewed for another two years.
But this uncertainty prevents the KA from accessing funding to help it grow and expand the services it can offer young people, say trustees.
So far they have looked at 22 potential homes for the youth centre, but none were suitable, leaving a new build on The Avenue the clear favourite.
It was proposed the council funds a ‘shell’ with up to 500 square metres of floor space, and the youth centre fit out the inside.
This could include as much green and energy saving technology as possible.
But it may be that the council fits out the proposed building and passes the extra cost on as higher rent – an annual rent of £30,000 plus a year has been suggested.
Both sides are keen to start ‘terms and conditions’ talks, as progress on the project has been slower than expected.
In a letter to the council, a Kings Arms spokesman said it was hoped agreement could now be reached in a “realistic time frame” for discussions and for building work to begin.
In January planners indicated there were no “major” issues with the proposal.
The outline terms and conditions are set to be debated tomorrow (Thursday) during a full council meeting at 6.30pm in the council chamber of the town hall.
The meeting is open to the public.