PLANS for a sporting hub in Petersfield moved a step closer to reality after councillors agreed to recommend that money should be earmarked for professional advice and architects.

At a meeting of Petersfield Town Council grounds committee, members discussed allocating money in next year’s budget for potential projects.

One ‘must’ was setting aside £15,000 to start the process of providing a sports hub on council-owned fields between Penns Place and Barnfield Road off Pulens Lane.

It was proposed the money should be used to gain professional guidance and advice on the proposal, and to engage architects to look at designing a new pavilion and changing rooms.

The South Downs National Park Authority and East Hampshire District Council have expressed support for the concept in principle, and realising the vision has been a long term goal of the town council.

At the moment Petersfield Rugby Club and the Taro Leisure Centre are on the eastern side of the fields, and it is thought a new sporting facility may be used by the town’s hockey and junior football clubs.

The proposal will be considered by councillors as part of the budget setting process for 2016-17.

A list of other potential projects needing financial support was agreed by the grounds committee.

It included work to halt the banks of Petersfield Heath eroding.

It is estimated the work could cost up to £700,000.

The council has £70,000 in reserves allocated for the project so far, and members agreed a further £20,000 should be allocated to the project.

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It was also suggested that £20,000 was set aside towards the £100,000 cost of new and improved toilets on the Heath.