THE curtain has been raised on the vision for a multi-million pound Community Centre building with theatre.

A decision by East Hampshire District Council to proceed in principle with the combined facility, has been seen as a major milestone by Alton Community Association (ACA) and Holybourne Theatre Group (HTG).

They have been working together in an "eleventh hour" pitch to provide a 250-seat theatre as part of a new Community Centre building in Alton's Bank car park.

The landmark structure, which would cost in the region of £4million and take two years to build, could open up a "win, win" opportunity for both parties.

For ACA it would be expected to enhance the planned community focal point for Alton by extending the facilities available through the Community Centre.

ACA would gain an auditorium and associated amenities that could double as conference facilities, as well as room bookings associated with the theatre and different usage patterns, with increased people traffic and customer footfall to support the bar and cafe franchises.

For Holybourne Theatre, members would benefit from a brand new third-floor facility in a high-profile town centre position, with shared facilities, resources, maintenance and running costs, and combined activities and events.

As a partnership, ACA and HTG would expect to increase the scope of fundraising activities and share key skills, pooling ideas and experience.

Discussion of the proposal during November 19's Cabinet meeting, elicited an endorsement by council leader Ferris Cowper of the ability of organisations in Alton to work together, against the odds, for the community.

Referring to the set backs ACA trustees had experienced over the past six years in their bid to replace their current ageing building, Mr Cowper chose to highlight in particular the problems generated by the Environment Agency over the risk of building on floodplains, and of the brave decision to take HTG on board at the last minute.

Despite the feeling that the project had been taking two steps forward and one step back, Mr Cowper said he was delighted that at long last his "thumb was hovering over the green button".

As the EHDC representative on the ACA committee, John Smith pointed out that despite the delays there was "no time limit on a good idea".

He spoke of the synergy between the ACA and Holybourne Theatre Group, and of the recognition that "they will be even stronger together than in two separate parts.

"The people of Alton have been wanting this for a considerable time and this is exactly what they want."

Lead councillor for Alton, Andrew Joy, added: "Most organisations would have been extremely daunted, if not given up, if faced with a situation like this but the fact that they (ACA and HTG) have worked together and with other organisations to put flesh on the bones of the idea, is of immense credit to them."

Despite former reservations regarding the logistics of the project, and not least the sale of the existing theatre site, EHDC Cabinet voted unanimously to agree in principle to proceed with a combined community centre and theatre building, pending the successful outcome of a feasibility study.

Councillors further agreed to authorise deputy chief executive, Daphne Gardner, in consultation with key councillors, to decide, after considering the feasibility study, VAT advice and land valuation, whether or not to proceed with the project. If the answer is positive, they were authorised to go out to tender.

As owner of the existing and future Community Centre building, EHDC has set aside an overall budget for the project of £3.7m over two years, which would be supplemented by the sale of the Holybourne Theatre Group's London Road site.

After the meeting, HTG chairman, Peter Stone, confirmed that an up-to-date valuation had indicated a sale price of £800,000 based on outline guidance by EHDC planning officers that seven to nine houses would be acceptable on the site.

While this was less than the £1m price tag suggested in November last year, HTG felt that it could make up the difference via fundraising and grants.

The deal would be for HTG to put money from the sale of its land into the construction of a third floor at the new Community Centre and that it would furnish and equip the theatre itself.