AMBITIOUS plans costing £2.25 million have been unveiled to put Petersfield on the performing arts map and provide a focal point for East Hampshire's young actors. Organisers of Petersfield Youth Theatre, which has 300 members aged between eight and 25, are plotting a far reaching "big plan" to create a purpose-built headquarters in the area. It would see a new multi-use performance studio, music rooms, dance studios and a set construction workshop. The building – which is currently only being referred to as 'The Space' – would be a home for theatre and arts groups. It is intended that it will be used for rehearsals and workshops rather than performances which would take place elsewhere. At the moment, three possible sites are being explored in the town with a third currently being negotiated with planning officers. The scheme was announced to members of the public after a PYT spring production at the Festival Hall last week. And in a brochure outlining the basic strategy of the project, artistic director Nik Ashton said: "The current use of different venues is limiting the quality and quantity of our output. "As the number of young people wanting to benefit from our activities increases, the hours we need to hire venues for also rises. "We now find ourselves in the situation where there are not enough hours in the day where a venue is available for us to use. "We want 'The Space' to be something Petersfield can be proud of. "Our project has the potential to make a substantial difference to the operation of both Petersfield Youth Theatre and our town's other cultural organisations." Funding for the project would come from a combination of the National Lottery, the Arts Council and Hampshire County Council. Additional funds would be sought from East Hampshire District Council and Petersfield Town Council, with individual donations and a membership-based donation scheme such as buying a brick for the building, topping it up. The dramatic plan has received support from a number of organisations including the Anne Blumlein School of Dance - also based in Petersfield. Although it is not yet known where exactly the complex would be built, organisers have been working closely with planning officers at East Hampshire District Council to find a suitable location. They also want to ensure that any building will be carbon neutral and can blend in with its surroundings. PYT's project report adds: "We plan to create a building that respects the character of the area in which it is built, as well as reflecting the dynamic nature of the activities that it will house. "We intend to develop and promote a green transport policy for the centre in order to identify and promote sustainable transport solutions for users. "This will include promoting the use of public transport, car sharing, walking and cycling." Nik Ashton is now calling on townsfolk to get behind the project and wants other organisations to get involved. "The success of the project relies on many people working towards one common aim," he told The Herald. "We need people to talk about 'The Space', to become ambassadors and to will the project forward. "Giving the best of oneself is a fundamental expectation that our organisation makes of its participants. "We would like the town to set its sights equally high and help build a fantastic building with fantastic facilities to nurture generations for years to come." There is no current time frame for completion of the project. But organisers say the next step is detailed consultation with other community based cultural and arts groups and analysis of their needs. PYT can be contacted via its website http://www.petersfieldyouththeatre.org.uk">www.petersfieldyouththeatre.org.uk.