A PLAN to redevelop a north Hampshire town has collapsed due to its cost.

Last year, Hart District Council, which provides services to villagers in Hartley Wintney, Hook and Odiham, unveiled a plan to redevelop Fleet town centre.

This centred on the civic offices, the library, the Harlington Centre and Gurkha Square, and was being funded in part by a retail development partner.

The district council budgeted £9million for a “community hub”, which included a new library and arts centre.

But in a statement released today, the district council stated the plan would not go ahead.

It read: “The council has recently learned from the development partner that, following a detailed financial appraisal, the overall cost of the development is too high to be viable in the current economic climate.

“The position is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. The development partner therefore, is not in a position to pursue the project further.”

Councillor Gavin Evans, the district council’s Cabinet member for Fleet town centre, said: “This was an important project that had the potential to deliver major improvements to Fleet town centre.

“There were questions to answer on the impact such a development might have on the town and also on its viability in the current economic environment.

“Unfortunately it cannot be delivered for the time being and the opportunity can no longer be explored.”