PLANS to refurbish East Meon Sustainability Centre at a cost of £1.5m could be submitted early in the New Year as a push to raise £25,000 towards costs and fees nears completion.

The project is aimed at transforming the 55-acre learning centre, which has a staff of 18, into a welcoming and eco-friendly destination for visitors.

The centre needs to raise £750,000 towards the project, which will unlock match funding.

But in the immediate future £25,000 is needed so the plans can be finalised and submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority.

Centre fundraising manager Lorraine Stone said: “We have pledges of an incredible £18,500 and will be very close to achieving our target of £25,000 before Christmas – which is wonderful.

“If we achieve this, we can go for planning permission.”

A design team is to meet later this month to continue working on the plans.

The remodelled centre will contain a learning suite for under-18s, a meeting and conference space, and offices for the centre’s 20 tutors.

The Earth Works Trust oversees the centre and trust chairman Barry Lamacraft said: “The building will be re-purposed. We will make a 1960s and 1970s style building fit for the 21st century.”

Centre manager Christine Seaward added: “We are doing this for future generations. The current building needs some love. Holes in the roof, a biodiverse habitat on the walls and buckets on the floor are not great. We want to take a leap forward and inspire others.”

At present the centre hosts school visits and supports young people with additional needs, who are encouraged to work towards gaining environmental awards.

In the grounds are tipis and yurts, bee hives and an eco-campsite. There is also a 38-bedroom lodge for residential visits.

Christine said: “Coming here can be a life-changing experience for children, it opens their eyes to the outdoors.”

The centre’s programme includes practical skills training for sustainable living and supporting businesses to meet future skills deficits.

The design panel meets on Monday, November 20, at the centre.

A new Christmas giving initiative has been announced, details of which are on the centre’s website at: www.sustainability-centre.org/christmaspresents