LISS Parish Council has submitted a planning application for a replacement pavilion at West Liss Recreation Ground.

The application is for a single-storey community building and alterations to the car park following the demolition of the existing Scout hut and meeting hall.

As previously reported, a public exhibition was held in November last year to show residents the latest set of drawings and plans.

Liss Parish Council then agreed at its November council meeting to submit the planning application.

The council did receive planning permission for a new pavilion at the site back in 2013, but it has had to re-apply for planning permission as the building’s design has changed.

Liss Parish Council chairman Keith Budden said: “We hope to have a decision on the planning application before the end of March.

“Some residents might have concerns, but I’m not expecting any issues as the building is the same width and length as before, and the height is lower.

“Once we have planning permission that opens the door for funding streams that are not there yet.

“Our professional fundraisers seem optimistic they can raise the money, and we are also talking to a couple of local donors.

“The pavilion is likely to cost about £850,000.

“We are down to a choice of two tenders, and a final decision is likely to be made in the next few weeks.

“We will need to go to council again to approve the contractor, as it has been delegated to the West Liss pavilion committee.”

Sport England has not objected to the application, although a number of Station Road residents have objected.

Cllr Budden said: “I appreciate that some residents might have concerns, but I hope that we have addressed most the concerns.

“I agree the new design is not as exceptional as the original design, but that has been driven by budget.

“The Scout hut and the pavilion are both past their lifespan, and with extra houses in the future there is a demand for facilities.

“In an ideal world I would like the pavilion to be finished by Christmas, but realistically it will probably be Easter 2017.”

Anyone who would like to view the planning application should visit the South Downs National Park Authority’s planning website at: www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning and search for the planning reference number SDNP/15/06401/FUL.