Latest news with #NewForestDistrictCouncil
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New adventure playground opens with zip line and climbing frames
A new adventure playground has opened at Lepe Country Park in Southampton. The play area, inspired by Lepe's D-Day history and coastal setting, features a zip line, obstacle course, climbing frames, and a den-building area. The centrepiece is the 'Lepe Lighthouse', complete with a scramble net, firefighter's pole, and slide. The project received £100,000 from New Forest District Council's Community Infrastructure Levy grant, with further support from Hampshire County Council. READ MORE: Council brings games and green advice to New Forest Show Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council's cabinet lead for universal services, said: "I'm delighted to open this fantastic new play space at Lepe Country Park. "Thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural landscape, it offers an exciting experience for children of all ages, open just in time for the summer holidays." Cllr Derek Tipp, New Forest District Council's portfolio holder for planning and economy, said: "We're sure it will continue to be an all-year-round community asset for residents and visitors."
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Local council removes £1million cliffside beach huts at risk of falling into the sea
Work is underway to remove more than £1million worth of cliffside beach huts that are at risk of falling into the sea. The 43 wooden cabins huts at Hordle Cliff, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, were 'abandoned' to the elements by the local council after officials decided against shoring up sea defences. The huts, that are worth about £25,000 each, were battered by winter storms and left either badly damaged or at risk of falling into the sea. As it is not possible to take out insurance on the huts the owners have been left out of pocket. And to add insult to injury they are being asked to contribute for the work to remove them which requires machinery to winch them up and take them away. While people own the huts, they pay the council as land owner a licence of about £800 a year. This fee will be used to cover the costs of the removal work and those who were due a refund will have £300 taken out of it. Owners blame New Forest District Council's 'do nothing' approach to coastal erosion for the loss of their beloved huts. James and Helena Cox bought their hut in 2002. It has been deemed 'at risk' by the council and they were only told it would be removed in May. Mr Cox, a naval architect, had used his expertise to make his hut more secure from being battered by storms. He said: 'My family and myself are disappointed to lose it, although we were not surprised given the council's aversion to manage risk and general lack or will to find a workable solution. 'My hut wasn't damaged, or particularly at risk in my judgement. I deal with designing structures to survive environmental loading on a daily basis so I'm perfectly qualified to make this assessment' He said he secured his hut by driving galvanised scaffold poles into the shingle at each corner and secured them to the base of his hut. He also installed diagonal braces to resist wind and breaking waves. 'Since losing my original hut in the Valentines storm of 2014, I have not sustained any notable damage,' he added. 'Securing a beach hut to withstand storm force winds and waves overtopping the sea wall is simply an engineering problem, and not a particularly difficult one. 'The real reason our licences were revoked is because the council are risk averse and simply lack the will to manage the risks. 'They should have allowed the owners of huts inland of the sea wall to keep their huts at their own risk, while advising a basic level of securing the huts to the beach. 'I can deal with the storms, it was always NFDC I worried about.' Paul Major, of the New Forest Beach Hut Owner's Association, said: 'Having been in that situation, it is a massive loss, some owners have had their huts through the generations. 'There is nothing that can be done about saving the huts at Hordle Cliff. The toe of the cliff has been eroded away by the constant battering of the fierce seas'. Major explained that the cliff has become further unstable with the amount of rain that has soaked into the face and then been dried by the hot weather. 'There is nothing that can be done to halt the force of nature,' he said. 'There was requests made to the council over the years to permit some sort of sea defence and these have all been denied due to the policy within its Shoreline Management Plan.' Jeanie Medd and her sister Valerie Webb shared their hut which they inherited from their mother Freda Doe. It had been in the family for at least 40 years, but was damaged in Storm Herminia in January this year. She said: 'It was a hub for my family, it represents being with my mum. It is the end of an era really. 'It was really badly damaged in Storm Herminia - all the contents went, the door got washed off, it was horrible. As it is not possible to take out insurance on the huts the owners have been left out of pocket 'I was absolutely devastated. We had a close shave last year and patched it up but we knew it was on borrowed time. 'We've got used to the idea it was being removed now. We have been going down and sitting in the three walls that are left. And once they've removed it we will still go to that bit of beach'. Medd said she received a refund for the months after it was damaged but the cost of removal was deducted from the sum. 'We tried to do it ourselves but it was just impossible,' she added. 'I know there was a lot of people complaining, but I don't blame the council. We always knew this was a possibility.' The latest removal work comes after 31 huts were taken away from the same beach in June last year. New Forest District Council said it has no statutory duty to undertake coastal erosion risk management measures at any coastal site. The section at Hordle Cliff is undefended and any measures introduced would only slow, not stop erosion and would cost about £4million. The estimated costs for the wider frontage from Hordle Cliff to Milford-on-Sea would be about £22milliom. The council also said Storm Herminia in January this year was believed to be the strongest to hit the UK in at least ten years, causing a lot of erosion and cliff destabilisation. Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability at New Forest District Council, said: 'We have every sympathy with those who have experienced impacts at this very challenging coastal area and have actively engaged with hut owners and the New Forest Beach Hut Owners Association. 'Beach erosion and cliff movement caused by winter storms has damaged some beach huts and caused others at the eastern end of Hordle Cliff to be at greater risk from future storms. 'We advise anyone considering buying a beach hut or other asset on, or close to, the coast to consider the risk before purchasing. People are welcome to contact our coastal team to understand the risks.'
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Forest District Council to spend £500k on restructure plans
A council has earmarked an additional £350,000 on planning for local government part of the restructuring of local government, New Forest District Council is backing a proposal that would see it form part of a new Mid-Hampshire unitary Conservative-run authority said a total of £500,000 was "required to support the council's work" as part of the councillors said it was a "pay day" for consultants. The restructuring of local government will see district and borough councils scrapped and the creation of new unitary options have been proposed for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with the New Forest District Council preferring to combine with Test Valley, East Hampshire, and Davis, Liberal Democrat ward councillor for Pennington, told a meeting of the council that funds should directly benefit residents."We are being sucked into having an argument when we could be focusing on our residents."Consultancies were having a pay day," he added,Jeremy Heron, portfolio holder for finance and corporate, defended the financial planning. "We are not squirreling money away, but we do carry out prudent and manageable reserves."The Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) reserve fund is not a huge reserve."A council spokesperson said: "The council's devolution and LGR reserve is intended for one-off expenditure that is required to support the council's work in this area."It includes specific commissions such as consultants and engagement work but also fixed-term resources."Of the funds already allocated, £32,534 has been spent so included £6,333 contributed to a joint effort with 12 other councils to develop a case for government. The funding part pays for work with consultancy firm KPMG. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council recognised for commitment to supporting Armed Forces community
New Forest District Council has been awarded silver in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). This acknowledges its sustained commitment to backing the Armed Forces community, following a bronze award last year. The ERS recognises UK employers who show extraordinary support to those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces, and their families. Councillor Jill Cleary, leader of the council, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have achieved silver in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. "This award is a testament to our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans, and military families across our district." Cllr Alvin Reid, Armed Forces champion, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for New Forest District Council. "We value the skills and experience that members of the Armed Forces bring to the workplace." Proactive measures include guaranteed job interviews for veterans and up to two weeks of extra annual leave for serving reservists. Most council roles offer flexible working to honour military commitments.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- BBC News
Visitor ban at New Forest flats after drug dealing complaints
"I just want to move away now, I've had enough," says Katie. She's lived on the Old Milton estate in New Milton in Hampshire for years but says the anti-social behaviour is affecting her mental health."I had a woman knocking on my door at 03:00 BST asking for money several nights running" she tells me. "I know she was trying to buy drugs".A legal order has been granted to stop visitors to two flats in council owned blocks on Marryat Road after complaints about disturbances linked to drug related activity. The partial closure orders for Fraser Court and Somerville Court prevent anyone except the tenant and authorised people going into the properties for the next three months. If they do, they will be committing a criminal offence and can be whose name we have changed to protect her identity, explains she lives nearby but has friends in the blocks affected."They've had car windows smashed in, there's often broken glass outside and there's always people running in and out of the block at all hours of the day and night". A passing dog walker says she never walks on the estate later in the evening. "I'm immune to how scary it is now, but I would not let me kids out after a certain time," she tells me. "I'm not sure this closure thing makes a difference though, as I've already seen people dealing drugs through the window now". Councillor Steve Davies, portfolio holder for housing at New Forest District Council, said: "No one should have to live with fear or ongoing disruption in their home or neighbourhood."This order has been put in place to protect residents and bring peace back to the area".Another man, who doesn't want to give his name, says there is a tension on the estate because of drug dependency: "If they can't get their fix, they get angry and then you've got several people abusing alcohol."There's a lot of strain, people in poverty, it's the mix which creates the issue but I just keep myself to myself."The closure orders rely on residents reporting any breach to Hampshire police via 101 or an online form. Hampshire Police's Antisocial Behaviour Tactical Advisor for the West, PC Rachel Gallimore, said: "These addresses have been a blight on the local community and we simply won't tolerate this type of behaviour and offending."Meanwhile Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's ASB lead, Chief Inspector Marcus Cator, said: "I'm pleased to say that thanks to joint working with key partners and local officers, we have been able to secure a total of 64 closure orders across both counties since 2021 – with 45 of them being granted in the last two years."Notices have been posted on the doors about extra patrols in the area, that residents say they have council added it would be asking for views from residents on the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy to help shape how it responds in the future. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
