PLANS for a much-needed pavilion in West Liss have received a major financial boost.
The building, which is likely to be timber-framed and compatible with its setting in West Liss Recreation Ground, will provide additional facilities for community groups and sports clubs.
Liss Parish Council asked for £40,000 of developer contributions, which had been earmarked for a skatepark in the village, to help fund the pavilion, and East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) agreed to the parish council’s request at the Community Forum in Petersfield last Tuesday.
Parish council chairman Keith Budden said: “I’m very pleased.
“The £40,000 was voted through unanimously and it is a substantial boost to our funds.
“This will also help our application to the Public Works Loan Board.
“We made a presentation at the community forum, and the decision was approved by district councillors from Liss and Petersfield.
“The presentation went very well and we had a couple of questions from district councillors and members of the public.”
The next step for the pavilion is to get some detailed plans drawn up.
Cllr Budden said:?“We have strong support for one particular design, so we are going to get an architect to draw up some plans. We know what sort of building people want, so it makes sense to be more precise.
“We will present the plans at the next pavilion meeting, which will probably be in April, to get feedback on the plans. It is all very positive at the moment.”
The Liss Neighbourhood Plan was also discussed at the EHDC Community Forum at Penns Place last week.
The plan has gone to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), which is running a public consultation until February 10.
Cllr Budden said: “We updated everyone at the meeting with where we’ve got to with the plan.
“Hopefully the plan will go through the process with the national park so we can continue to push on.”