TAKE That singer Mark Owen is hoping that local school children, musicians and songwriters will benefit from being able to use a music studio at his home in Froxfield.

Singer Mark Owen of the internationally famous trio is hoping that planners will agree to him opening his studio for up to 20-days a year so that pupils at the school his children go to can use it.

He also says in the application to change the conditions of use for the home studio, that he would like to encourage musicians and song writers who live locally to use it.

Under a current condition imposed by South Downs National Park Authority when the ‘live room’ and its control room was installed at his home, only he and other family members can use it.

In his application asking the authority to relax the condition, it is made clear by independent planning expert Ian Ellis that the studio won’t be used commercially.

Mr Ellis says: “Mr and Mrs Owen would like to be able to offer their children’s school and it’s music pupils the opportunity to record music and vocal sessions.

“Similarly they would also like to mentor local budding singers and song writers and record their music and songs.

“This would encourage new talent to the betterment of their future careers. Ina modest way it would therefore fulfil a social role in supporting performers, and perhaps in time contributing to the nation’s rich heritage of music performers.

“It is emphasised that this use would be infrequent, perhaps 10 days a year, and probably not exceeding 20 days a year.

“The applicants have no interest in operating the music studio as a full time recording studio where such use would impinge on the enjoyment of their house and grounds. Neither are they interested in operating it on a frequent part time basis for the same reasons.”

The plans and application details can be viewed on the South Downs planning search website at: www.southdowns.gov.uk