Plans to give a town council-owned house a green £30,000 makeover have been backed – while it’s back to square one for a larger project next door.

Petersfield Town Council have received a double blow in their bid to expand the council chamber as they’ve been forced to re-tender for the six-figure project.

The council previously appointed a building contractor from Waterlooville to lead the project with a partition wall being earmarked for removal.

But work has now been put on hold as the wall turned out to be load bearing while the proposed contractors have also ceased trading.

Councillors have agreed to keep the project “live” otherwise some £183,000 of developer contributions from the South Downs National Park Authority earmarked for the scheme may have to be forfeited.

Members of the Public Halls Committee agreed during an extraordinary meeting last week to begin the re-tendering process before approving a £30,500 budget for the refurbishment of 24 Heath Road.

The detached property is part of the Festival Hall set up but needs updating to meet the council’s climate policies.

Members heard that “substantial work” is needed to bring the building up to modern standards and make it fit for habitation. No structural work is needed but the building’s electricity and gas need certifying while a new bathroom is required and an outbuilding needs making safe.

Some £1,500 of the £30,500 will be spent on a Climate Action Plan Feasibility Study with the money coming from the Festival Hall Maintenance Fund.

The work is likely to be carried out various different contractors, rather than a singular firm.

Last Tuesday’s meeting in the town hall was also the first to be attended by Petersfield’s new town clerk, Rochelle Halliday, having stepped into the shoes of Neil Hitch following his retirement last month.