WINCHESTER’S Chesil Theatre is relaunching its £1m appeal to create a new arts venue.

The Winchester Dramatic Society needs the money to build new facilities next to its 12th century base at St Peter’s Church, in Chesil Street.

It is uniting in a joint scheme with the St John’s Winchester Charity which owns sheltered housing and wants to build day facilities for its residents next to the theatre.

The society says the extension will create a foyer and bar, better facilities for the disabled and much better backstage areas.

Its youth theatre and drama and writing workshops could all expand and it would be able to mount more productions.

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The final stumbling block – a sliver of land which had been in third-party ownership – was removed last autumn when the Chesil bought it. The scheme, designed by local architect Keith Leaman, already has planning permission. It will involve the demolition of several Victorian houses on Chesil Street.

The Chesil is requesting funding from the town forum, which is due to meet next on January 13. The society, which has more than 300 members, meets on January 23.

It is hopeful of receiving funding from the city council, which will open up funding from other bodies. Society chairman Deborah Edgington said: “Unlike some other organisations, we have never had to ask for a revenue grant, as all our activities are self-financing. We have also been responsible for funding all repairs to our wonderful building over the 40 years and will be pleased to continue our excellent guardianship.”

Chesil Theatre president Tom Williams said: “The society has brought quality drama to Hampshire for over 150 years.

With this project we look forward to doing so for many more years, as well as securing the future sustainability of this superb historic building.”