EXCITING proposals to build a new £1.8million youth centre in Portishead have been given the green light by planners. North Somerset Council has given the go ahead to redevelop the Harbour Road centre and now detailed plans will be drawn up for the first

EXCITING proposals to build a new £1.8million youth centre in Portishead have been given the green light by planners.North Somerset Council has given the go ahead to redevelop the Harbour Road centre and now detailed plans will be drawn up for the first stages of the scheme.The first phase of the project will include the new hall, entrance, cafe, kitchen, reception, administration and terrace areas and new parking facilities.The second phase will see the new art room, video suite, special needs room, recording studio and meeting room created.The final stage will see the new community/sports hall being built.Work is expected to start on the building in August.Alan Rowe, senior youth worker at Portishead Youth Centre, said: "The redevelopment committee is keen that the activities at the centre should continue during the building work and have instructed the architect to enable this to happen."I am very pleased we have passed this important milestone and that the young people of Portishead are much closer to getting the high quality facilities which they deserve."The appeal fund now stands at £433,000, with nearly £100,000 being given by the people of Portishead in the form of a grant of £50,000 from Portishead and North Weston Town Council. The fund has also included more than 100 separate donations which include fund-raising efforts by the rotary club and youth centre members.The committee is also hoping to tap into Government cash awarded to North Somerset Council to improve young people's and children's services.Youth club members Nadia, Rachel and Alex have organised a sponsored walk for the appeal from Portishead to Bristol on July 23 followed by a fund-raising barbecue at the youth centre. Donations and sponsorship can be sent to Alan Rowe at the youth centre at Harbour Road, Portishead.