Achievements

 

 

The New Milton Regeneration Project : 2006 - 2008

One of the initial key regeneration projects coordinated by The New Milton Town Partnership, was a £1.6m three year scheme undertaken by Hampshire County Council supplemented with a £1/4m South East England Development Agency grant which was obtained by the Partnership as a direct result of the Market Town Health Check and Action Plan process.

This Project now completed, was to enhance the main shopping area of Station Road, New Milton with new pavements and street furniture to make it a better area to facilitate a diversity of events such as Street Markets. The Christmas Extravaganza held in 2009 and 2010 and there has been a Christmas Event organised by The Partnership since 2006.  (It is hoped that 2012 will see another Town Christmas Event on Saturday 1st December - so watch this Web Site for more information.)

The main shopping street is Station Road where a number of national chains underpin the local independents. All of the local cafes and restaurants are privately owned and offer better value for money than neighbouring centres. In spite of doom and gloom about the economic situation in the news, New Milton's shops are rising to the challenge by giving genuine value for money and personal service to their customers.

It is pleasing to note in these tough times, that Bradbeers the New Milton department store, has announced a major new expansion and rebuilding programme. As the oldest independent departmental store in the country, Bradbeers leads the towns high quality independent retail offering.

The Town Design Statement

Whilst the Market Town Health Check and the Action Plan pursued by the New Milton Town Partnership was the key driving force behind many of these projects, The Town Design Statement, which has taken many years of Partnership effort, will have a lasting effect and impact on the Town, the Community and the environment. This has now been accepted by the Town Council and it will provide part of the framework for future planning in and around New Milton.

This Statement has now been accepted by New Forest District Council as the Planning Authority and it is now a key component of the Local Distinctiveness Study which is supplementary planning guidance for all planning applications.

The Transformation of Mallard Court

Considerable work has been undertaken to transform Mallard Court into a well used public open space. A local artist was commissioned to work with local children from four schools to develop an idea and a theme for some mosaics to be installed around the open area. The final design is a pair of mosaics historically based on the fern leaf, which reflects New Milton's connection with the New Forest.

This area plays host to various Specialist Markets, including a Monthly Farmer's Market - as well as providing a rest area for local shoppers.

 

The History of New Milton Exhibition

The Historical Exhibition aptly named "A Seaside Home in the Country" proved such a success that its stay in Station Road had to be extended for an additional two weeks. By the time the exhibition finished, over 4000 visitors had attended.

There is no doubt that this Exhibition instilled a sense of pride in our residents for their town and was really worthwhile for this reason alone. Groups and people of all ages from near and far visited the Exhibition.  A substantial amount of archive material was gathered during the course of the Exhibition and the many events that were organised during the Exhibition.

A much expanded " Seaside Home in the Country" Exhibition on New Milton was subsequently held at St Barbe's Museum in Lymington thus ensuring that many more people were able to see and wonder at the history of New Milton.

Visitor Information Points and Signage

New Information Points have been installed on Barton Cliffs and at New Milton Station and other local signage has been improved.

At Barton Cliffs, the new signage indicating indicating beaches, viewpoints, restaurants and accommodation, has been funded by local businesses with matched funding from local Councils.

More Work remains to be done in this area as well as improved signage to the Cliff top and around New Milton generally.  Improved Signage to Car Parks has also been proposed.

Other Partnership Projects

 

Supporting our community through local projects