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Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience AJC Group has officially broken ground at the former NHS Becton Centre in Barton-on-Sea marking the commencement of an important local affordable housing development in partnership with VIVID This milestone event celebrates the transformation of the previously underutilised site in a prime coastal location into 27 crucially needed affordable homes for the local community the development will deliver 27 vital energy-efficient two-bedroom apartments helping to address the substantial shortage of affordable housing in the New Forest region Designed to complement the character of the area the homes will be delivered in line with AJC Group’s commitment to sustainable and community-focused developments Each apartment has been thoughtfully designed to maximise space sustainable materials and feature high-specification insulation and large windows to enhance natural light The development will also prioritise Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and ecological features such as bat boxes and hedgehog highways to promote local wildlife habitats The homes will be built to a high specification incorporating energy-efficient technologies to reduce running costs for future residents The site benefits from excellent connectivity making it a prime location for commuters and families residents will also have access to nearby bus routes and road links connecting to Christchurch the development is just a short distance from New Milton train station providing regular services to London Waterloo and other major destinations Construction is set to be completed in the summer of 2026 with the homes being made available for affordable rent and shared ownership through VIVID Home   News   Article WORK has started on a controversial development of 27 “crucially needed” affordable homes in Barton AJC Group held a ground breaking ceremony at the former NHS Becton Centre on The Fairway to mark the start of construction There was huge controversy over the proposal during the application process with former New Milton mayor David Hawkins claiming two years ago the site would be turned into a “hell-hole” branded the comments as “unacceptable and inflammatory language for a man in civic office to use in a public forum” Cllr Hawkins said he still believes it is a mistake to build the block of flats: “It is very laudable to have cheaper housing No parking and people in neighbouring homes being overlooked “The lack of car parking is going to cause one hell of a problem when they are built; it is bad enough there already.” NFDC turned down the initial application by AJC Group for 31 flats in 2023 but subsequently approved a revised bid for 27 flats in December last year The design features a three-storey detached apartment building with pitched roof Most of the apartments will have a balcony and some will enjoy sea views AJC Group says the scheme will deliver 27 “vital” energy-efficient two-bedroom apartments helping to “address the substantial shortage of affordable housing in the New Forest region” It points out they have been “designed to complement the character of the area” and large windows to enhance natural light” It says the development will also prioritise Biodiversity Net Gain David Cracklen added: “Breaking ground at the Becton Centre is a significant step forward in our mission to provide accessible and affordable homes for local people and we are proud to be delivering a scheme that directly meets this need.” AJC has teamed up with housing association Vivid on the scheme group development and new business director of Vivid said: “This development underscores our commitment and investment in addressing the existing housing need in the New Forest “It highlights our longer-term commitment to working in this area ensuring that we’ll continue to make a positive impact supporting these local communities.” The flats will be made available for affordable rent and shared ownership through Vivid Home   Lifestyle   Article BOHO beach charm meets with fine dining standards at the recently refurbished Little Pebbles bar and café in Barton Sharing a kitchen with Pebble Beach Restaurant the new look coastal eatery has been transformed into a stunning 20 seater café offering a delicious array of pizzas Originally set up during the pandemic to offer high quality takeaway food Little Pebbles has recently undergone a full renovation to create a comfortable and welcoming space offering everything from ice cream and hot chocolates to light bites and evening meals Stepping in from the cold on a mid-December evening we were met with a warm and inviting space featuring a soft beige colour scheme married with lush green ferns and a beautiful floral window mural Comfortable bench setting makes maximum use of wall space while stylish rattan chairs and lightwood tables add to the relaxed coastal-inspired vibe After enjoying a glass of prosecco on arrival we turned to the drinks menu which featured a selection of wines and champagnes that were available to purchase by the glass or bottle I enjoyed a glass of Italian La Riva Pinot Grigio Blush My husband opted for a glass of Caoba Malbec which definitely hit the mark with well-rounded notes of bramble and spice Boasting a number of menus that feature everything from cakes and breakfasts Little Pebbles offers a slightly more casual outlook with food prepared by the same team creating fine dining cuisine for Pebble Beach the menu features an array of small plate choices such as garlic chilli prawns and lamb meatballs in homemade tomato sauce it was the honey and chilli halloumi bites that jumped out at me Beautifully presented on a wooden board and accompanied by a small side salad the halloumi was cooked to golden brown perfection The combination of salty warm cheese and a sweet honey drizzle was absolutely exquisite while the subtle hint of chilli further elevated this moreish dish My husband was equally delighted with his choice of tender salt and pepper calamari bites served with a spicy mayo dip He commented that the melt-in-the-mouth calamari was the best he’d had in a long time – crispy outside and soft inside as well as lunch time paninis and a selection of children’s meals including a roast turkey burger and a festive pizza featuring pigs in blankets featured succulent chicken breast combined with tender pasta The wonderful sauce had a great balance of subtle sweetness of white wine abd the comforting richness of cream The generous topping of Parmesan shavings provided a salty creating a luxurious and truly satisfying dish For his main course my husband opted for the wagyu beef American Patriot burger he said the tender wagyu and the smoky beef brisket combined to give the burger a wonderful depth of flavour fresh salad leaves and onion bites added a further symphony of textures and flavours – resulting in an irresistibly delicious dish Despite an array of wonderful dessert options including raspberry and pistachio semifreddo and a British cheese board after two delicious courses neither of us could manage a dessert so the staff surprised him with a beautiful birthday plate featuring a warm fruity Panettone topped with almonds marking a perfect ending to a beautiful meal Combining delicious dishes with its welcoming Little Pebbles is the perfect place for coffee and cake or a more substantial meal with four legged friends even able to enjoy a doggy ice cream To find out more, visit www.littlepebbles-uk.com • We’ve teamed up with Little Pebbles to offer one lucky reader a two-course meal for two with a bottle of wine Home   Sport   Article Barton-on-Sea Golf Club has unveiled its newly refurbished clubhouse which has been designed to enhance the experience for members and visitors alike The work marks a significant milestone in the history of the 128-year-old club said: “I’m confident that this major improvement in our clubhouse provides a golf club that is second to none in the local area and a great experience for existing members and those wishing to join and take up the game of golf.” including several special golf competitions There was also an afternoon tea for social members with entertainment by local harpist Wendy Morrow and a breakfast brunch open to all members and their guests the culmination of the celebrations and the main event of the week and entertainment by the band Manhattan Groove the goal was clear: to create a welcoming environment that reflected the club’s commitment to its members by offering upgraded amenities that met modern standards The new-look clubhouse features a range of enhancements including an extended dining area with panoramic views of the course and the iconic Isle of Wight Needles The new extended balcony overlooks the club’s signature Needles 9 hole The new bar and dining facilities offer formal and casual settings where members can enjoy a culinary experience created by the club’s four chefs whether celebrating a golfing victory or sharing a meal with friends and family This transformation would not have been possible without the dedication and support of members The club is immensely grateful to everyone who contributed their time HAVING spent a large part of my childhood at our family beach hut in Barton the dramatic coastline has always held a special place in my heart which sits on the clifftop boasting spectacular panoramic views over Christchurch Bay and the Solent Boasting a 2AA rosette restaurant and a stunning sun terrace which overlooks the shoreline it’s easy to see why the business has recently expanded to offer a range of wedding packages Another relatively new addition is a fixed garden marquee recently fitted with a new roof and a stunning wood panel wall creating a perfect backdrop for year-round dining the beautiful space offers the most spectacular views while also feeling delightfully warm and cosy as the autumn nights draw in Arriving for dinner on a wet and windy evening we were shown through the spacious restaurant and bar area which was busy with customers enjoying the popular fixed-price Sunday menu While diners in the restaurant area select from the a la carte menu Pebble Beach also offers a bar menu of lighter bites pizzas and burgers which can be enjoyed on the garden terrace and in the marquee it was no surprise to find that seafood options featured extensively on the menu coupled with a good range of vegan and vegetarian dishes meat options and small plates for grazing or sharing As a fan of seafood I was spoilt for choice when it came to the starters with lobster ravioli and Portland crab cake both sounding very appealing I finally opted for pan-fried scallops with charred leek puree and butter sauce Beautifully presented with a small flower and pea shoots golden scallops were cooked to melt-in-the-mouth perfection and exquisitely complemented by the creamy charred leek sauce The portion size was generous and the sauce was so wonderful – I happily took up the offer of extra sourdough bread and butter to ensure nothing was left My husband’s choice of tempura prawns was equally well received with the substantial juicy prawns in a crispy batter perfectly complemented by the sweet chilli dipping sauce we turned to the wine list featuring and old and new world wines available to purchase by the glass or bottle I enjoyed a glass of French Cote Mas Rose which was crisp and dry to perfectly complement the scallops my husband opted for a glass of Caoba Malbec which definitely hit the mark with elegant notes of raspberry and spice we discovered an impressive selection of fresh fish dishes Seafood highlights included a surf-and-turf dish featuring sirloin steak and a half lobster thermidor and hake supreme served with scallops mussels and king prawns in a garlic butter sauce I finally settled on a pan-roasted breast of chicken served in its own jus and layered with buttered courgettes and sundried tomatoes and the succulent chicken breast and creamy courgettes created wonderful layers of texture and flavour my husband opted for pan-seared sirloin steak which was served with a grilled tomato and field mushrooms alongside hand-cut chunky chips the steak was complemented by a buttery peppercorn sauce that boasted just the right consistency Feeling incredibly satisfied after two wonderful courses I opted for an indulgent vanilla panna cotta accompanied by a rich orange syrup topped with a slice of charred orange The light and creamy panna cotta was wonderful combined with the intensely sweet zesty orange My husband adored his “extraordinarily delightful” dessert choice – a tropical Eton mess featuring light meringue rich chantilly cream and a zingy passionfruit Pebble Beach is a relaxed and welcoming spot for any occasion whether a mid-morning coffee or a special celebration meal Each of the dishes we enjoyed were beautifully put together and incredibly tasty and a menu that offers plenty of options from spectacular seafood to Sunday roasts Pebble Beach also host a regular programme of special dining events and tribute evenings Forthcoming highlights include Bee Gees tribute night a Buble and Robbie Williams tribute evening wreath making workshops and a charity gala dinner To find out more visit: www.pebblebeach-uk.com • We’ve teamed up with Pebble Beach to offer one lucky reader a three-course meal for two A STRATEGY tackling coastal erosion and flooding has been given the support of members of New Forest District Council more than 1,200 coastal New Forest properties will be at risk of erosion in the next 100 years unless action is taken Figures also show nearly 140 homes are at risk of flooding as well with the effects of both estimated to cause economic damages of nearly £400 million NFDC’s place and sustainability overview and scrutiny panel discussed the issues highlighted in the Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy report The strategy has been jointly developed by NFDC and covers Hengistbury Head Long Groyne to the western end of Hurst Spit at Milford The latest report highlighted three ‘strategic zones’ affected 597 at Barton and one at Taddiford at risk of erosion The strategy outlines measures to deal with the risks which are predicted to affect the area up to 2124 Cllr Peter Armstrong praised the “excellent” report to members and said when funding for the recommended work is sought He added: “King Canute didn’t do much in stopping the tide but this report gives so many ways in which we can seek to prevent coastal erosion.” Cllr Malcolm Wade said while he “accepted” the report more should be done on the eastern side of the Forest “It is all very well protecting houses in Barton-on-Sea and I totally support that Hythe and Dibden is knee-deep in sea water “We need a strategy for the east of the New Forest if we are going to have a strategy for one coastline Cllr Adam Parker questioned why a “do nothing” approach had been suggested for Taddiford when clifftop erosion in the area was “quite considerable” members agreed to recommend the strategy for approval to the cabinet with “a complex cliff” where it is “unlikely to be possible to completely stop erosion” the report recommends managed realignment to improve defences This would “slow rates” of erosion but “not stop it entirely” These measures would cost an estimated £22 million with no flooding risk and “minimal properties” at risk of erosion with “health and safety activities” taking place the key issue is “management of beach levels” adding: “There has been a recent trend of beach erosion that has increased the pressure on the defences at the back of the beach “Here a beach is required to protect the toe of the existing seawall and in the past low beach levels have contributed to seawall failures.” The leading options focused on managing the beach levels through “periodic nourishment and larger scale beach nourishment schemes” It was recommended Milford’s seawall be upgraded and tidal flood defences constructed at the eastern end to reduce flooding from Sturt Pond The leading options for Milford would cost an estimated £24.5 million along with other assets such as beach huts The new FCERM strategy has been in development since spring 2021 While neither BCP nor NFDC have any statutory duty to undertake coast protection work it can use permissive powers to protect the coastline and work with communities to help them adapt to future coastal change A couple who say overgrown tree shoots are posing a hazard to pedestrians at the entrance to a Barton apartment block has welcomed news they are to be trimmed of Shoreacre at the junction of Barton Court Avenue and Marine Drive East had campaigned to Hampshire County Council to get the issue dealt with They feared there could be an accident as the overgrowth at the base of the tree obscured motorists’ view of pedestrians as they drove into the Barton Court Avenue access the couple said they first raised the issue with HCC in January after having a near-miss with a pedestrian on a dark evening “When you come from Marine Drive West and turn into Barton Court Avenue you turn and then you’re head-on to this and can’t see anybody on the pavement behind the shoots,” Mr Short explained Mrs Short said: “There’s two specific demographics here – there’s the elderly and there’s the families coming down to the beach “If someone elderly is walking there as an electric vehicle is pulling in I think we’re all pretty sensible people and drive in slow enough to stop if someone comes out from behind the trees “But I do worry about delivery vans because they can come in at a heck of a lick as they are all on tight schedules.” But the couple had become frustrated when they felt HCC had twice misunderstood what they were getting in touch about The first misconception was said to have been a belief they wanted to cut actual branches from the tree it was thought they complained about road markings when they were told an engineer had checked and confirmed there was no issue with these “It’s not so much a hazard for cars but for pedestrians,” Mr Short stressed The couple had even offered for Shoreacre’s gardener to cut back the overgrowth if HCC gave its permission “I would rather Hampshire County Council do something before there is an accident,” Mrs Short added The couple had not noticed any previous issue with the trees during their three years living at Shoreacre a Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns regarding overgrown trees at this location in Barton-on-Sea “Work is now being planned to clear the excess vegetation from the base of the trees.” Mr Short said: “We can’t ask for a lot more than that “Hopefully it is done before the Easter school holidays when there will be more families and young children around.” THREE New Forest spots are among the top 10 most expensive places in the country to buy a coastal property Research conducted by Rightmove found Milford has the third highest average property asking price of £751,442 At the top of the list is Sandbanks in Poole where the average property is valued at £1,582,331 Easington in County Durham is second at £122,520 and Peterlee in County Durham is third at £124,593 The company’s analysis looked at the property prices of more than 200 coastal areas using data from the Office for National Statistics and its own research Rightmove’s Tim Bannister said: “Whilst the pandemic-driven surge for seaside areas has calmed down and reversed back to more normal levels areas around Great Britain’s coast continue to be popular with many people many people consider what a home by the sea and away from the hustle and bustle of a city could look like or perhaps explore estate agents’ windows while on holiday.” Bristol and Edinburgh are now more searched for than the coastal county of Devon which was previously in third place this time last year London and Cornwall remain in first and second place respectively.” Most expensive areas and their average asking price: vision and plans for the future and how we deliver our services We do more than tackle fires and rescue people Catch up with all the latest that we have been involved in We’re proud to support and protect the wonderfully diverse community in which we serve We’re committed to keeping our communities safe well and informed and our prevention and protection work plays a large role in this Behind every firefighter there are specialist support teams all playing their part If you need to get in touch or find a form Crews from Hampshire and Dorset and Wiltshire have been tackling a large house fire in Marine Drive  At the height of the incident eight fire engines and other specialist appliances were in attendance main jets and hose reel jets to tackle the fire which has affected the whole of the property Local residents were advised to avoid the area to allow access for emergency services vehicles but it is likely people will continue to see a Fire and Rescue presence in the area for much of the day with crews damping down and fire investigation officers at the scene Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" BARTON has the oldest population of residents living in built-up areas outside London and released by the Office of National Statistics yesterday (Wednesday) looked at the characteristics of BUAs in England and Wales These have a normal residential population of between 5,000 and 19,999 and are classed as large villages or small towns by the ONS Characteristics measured included age and sex Barton has the highest average age at 65 years Also in the higher older population category was Lymington and Pennington with an average age of 53 while Christchurch and Ashley came in at 51 years Ringwood had a slightly younger median age of 47 The findings revealed that as BUA size classification increases the age of the population tends to decrease The areas with the lowest median age were Canterbury and Stoke Gifford which is thought to be due to the large student populations The figures represent the most detailed breakdown of census data by age and location to be released so far as previous data was limited to local authority areas The analysis does not include London because of the difficulty in identifying individual built-up areas across the capital the average age on the day of the 2021 census was 40 years THE following applications for planning permission were submitted to New Forest District Council during the week ending Friday 15th November 2024: Replacement dwelling, Tara, Poplar Close, Mr and Mrs Billing. Application for approval under paragraphs 75-78 of the conservation of habitats and species regulations 2017 in relation to approved residential use (general development order), Druces Acres, Salisbury Road, Mr Moore. Conversion of existing garage to annexe ancillary to the main dwelling, Colliton, The Drove, Blackfield. Sliding / pocket doors on existing door opening between sitting and dining room, new doorway through the wall between the hallway and dining room (application for listed building consent), Flat 1, 1 Gosport Street, Mr Lynes. Single-storey rear extension, front porch, rear dormer with cladding to front dormers, changes to fenestration, materials and roof, 4 De Mowbray Way, Mr and Mrs Ansell. Single-storey side extension, demolition of part of the boundary to accommodate the widening of the driveway entrance, new timber sliding gate, Easter Cottage, Victoria Mews, High Street, Mr Carrington. Internal stud wall and WC, like-for-like replacement timber cladding single-glazed timber casement window to ground floor (application for listed building consent), 26-27 High Street, Colten Developments Ltd. Single-storey side extension, 9 Park Avenue, Carson. Double garage, 59 Milford Road, Pennington, Mr Gillam. Removal of condition 23 of planning permission 23/10172 requiring submission, approval and implementation of a botanical mitigation strategy in respect of narrow leaved water dropwort, Land South of Hythe Road and East of St Contest Way, LNT Care Developments (3) Ltd. Change of use from use class C3 (dwelling house) to use class C2 (residential institution), Tower House, Christchurch Road, Serenity Care Homes Ltd. Change of use of first floor to residential to form 2-bedroom flat, partial change of use of ground floor to provide access stairs to first floor, dismantling of ground floor link and front conservatory / porch (prior approval application), 66 Old Milton Road, Mrs Hutchins. Removal of existing conservatory and replacement with rear extension, front infill extension, fenestration alterations, 11 Furze Croft, Mrs Howells. Front dormer and raised roof ridge to facilitate creation of first floor, fenestration alterations, 4 Mitchell Close, Barton-on-Sea, Mr and Mrs Lindsey-Colley. Remove existing garage / workshop and construct a new garage and storage / workshop, Rose Cottage, Brockhills Lane, Ashley, Mr North. Demolish the existing pair of semi-detached houses and erect two pairs of semi-detached houses (four total) with associated access and parking, including detached garage for Unit 4, Site of 41 and 43 Manor Road, Balson Properties Ltd. Proposed single-storey extension at rear, removal of existing conservatory, 18 North Poulner Road, Mr and Mrs Molland. Construction of glazed roof outbuilding to rear of property and extension to side store to front and rear of site, carport to the rear, 264 Christchurch Road, Mr Steenkamp. New agricultural building (barn) for a machinery store (prior approval application), Mists Farm, Rockbourne Road, Sandleheath, Mists Farm. Change of use of existing agricultural barns to commercial use (B8 storage and distribution), associated external and fenestration alterations, new ramp access with handrail, London Farm, London Lane, Avon, Avon Tyrrell Farm. Installation of one charging upstand, substation and feeder pillar to facilitate electric car charging, Car Park, Totton Retail Park, 62-96 Commercial Road, Instavolt. Flat roof rear extension and rooflight, 16 Warwick Road, Elliott. Single-storey rear extension, 26 Aspen Walk, Maffezzoni. Demolition of existing dwelling and barn, partial demolition and conversion of existing racing stables and erection of five dwellings with associated infrastructure and landscaping, Whitsbury Stables, Fordingbridge Road, Whitsbury Manor Stud. Conversion of existing barn into holiday accommodation, South Allenford Farm, North End, Mr Shepherd. Replacement of existing tin garage and outbuildings with a wooden garage and workshop / hobby shop (retrospective), 33 Hampton Lane, Blackfield, Mr Wilkes. Application for approval under paras 75-78 of the conservation of habitats and species regulations 2017 (general development order) for a temporary camp site for a period of 60 days, 1 Bowerwood Cottages, Ashford Road, Mr Jennings. Variation of condition 1 of planning permission 23/10793 to allow use of the studio permanently, Pilates Studio, Laurel Bank, Lime Walk, Dibden Purlieu, Mr and Mrs Daniels. Demolition of existing detached bungalow and replacement with detached dwelling with associated garage and landscaping, 9 Fairfield Close, Mr Nash. Retention of unit 2 for agricultural purposes and demolition of unit 3 (part retrospective) (in place of the demolition of unit 1 agreed under planning permission 18/11227), Ferndene Farm, Bashley Cross Road, Ferndene Farm Shop Ltd. Variation of condition 2 of planning permission 23/10675 to allow amendments to the design of the approved dwellings, Becton Rough, Barton Common Road, Barton-on-Sea, Westcoast Developments Projects Ltd. Enlargement of existing single-storey rear extension, 6 Durland Close, Mrs Stacey. Conservatory to rear, 73 High Ridge Crescent, Ashley, Mr Robinson. Change of use to swimming school, training academy for swim teachers and associated cafe, installation of swimming pool, cafe and classroom space, Units 9 and 11 Parvaneh Business Park, Embankment Way, Bluefins Swimming Ltd. Mobile home, used as ancillary accommodation for staff, family and security (lawful use certificate for retaining an existing use or operation), Salmon Leap, Testwood Lane, The Salmon Leap. Conversion of existing garage to an annexe for ancillary use, associated external alterations (lawful development certificate that permission is not required for proposal), Colliton, The Drove, Blackfield, Mr Cooper. Sever land and erect two dwellings with associated parking and bin stores, access alterations, 192 Gore Road, Mrs Kelson. Three illuminated fascia signage with restaurant branding to front / side elevations (retrospective) (application for advertisement and consent), 24A Meeting House Lane, Antepli. CloseWalkers are being told to steer clear of an area of coastline at Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire where a large crack has developed at the top of the cliffs It comes a week after a major landslip near Durdle Door in Dorset Detailed investigations are going to take place at both sites where heavy rainfall is thought to be the cause Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionEditor's recommendationsWalkers warned about cliff cracks 1:33Up Next Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:25Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50Ros Atkins on.. What's in the US-Ukraine resources deal 1:23Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 00:01:18Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 1:18Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released 00:00:46Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released 0:46Watch video shown to jurors in Sycamore Gap tree trial 00:01:17Watch video shown to jurors in Sycamore Gap tree trial CONTROVERSIAL plans to charge for on-street parking at two popular coastal spots are back on the table after the county council revealed its revamped proposals There was a huge backlash from residents and businesses earlier this year when the initial scheme for Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West in Barton and at Saltgrass Lane and New Lane in Keyhaven was announced This eventually saw Hampshire County Council go back to the drawing board – and now the authority has lifted the lid on its latest proposals on-street parking would be chargeable between 10am and 6pm with a ban on overnight parking by campervans and mobile homes between 8pm and 8am A number of new zones have been introduced which allow motorists to park free for up to two hours at both sites a number of spaces close to the Barton Court Avenue junction and outside seafront shops would remain free for a maximum two-hour stay between 10am and 6pm Additional free two-hour parking spaces have been added to the amended plans outside the Beachcomber café and the Cliff House restaurant Proposed parking restrictions and charges have also been amended in Keyhaven with the addition of two areas where motorists can park for an hour without paying charges The remaining pay-and-display areas will operate from 10am to 6pm with no overnight parking of motor caravans from 8pm to 8am said he was “extremely disappointed” by the latest plans He told the A&T: “As a family-run business that has been trading since 1989 and residents of Barton we cannot reiterate enough the severe effect these parking restrictions will have on our business Claiming the prospect of £8 daily parking would force staff to park on set-back roads Mr Barry said: “We find running our business extremely difficult with the high cost of amenities and various taxes we need to pay Every single customer we have is extremely important to us so anything that means we may lose customers is a real worry.” NFDC and New Milton town councillor Alan O’Sullivan said he “can’t believe” HCC is again planning parking meters following the “resounding objection” earlier this year: “This will mean that our residents will now have to pay if they want a sea view from their car or more likely they will park in the side roads which will make those narrow roads even more congested All that is required is a sign saying ‘no campervans overnight’ which was the residents’ original suggestion If this proposal goes through it’s going to cost you £1 per hour to park – plus card charges If you think you can go down to the beach and back within an hour you will be hard pushed You think we were in the middle of a city with these prices Barton resident Chris Lynott has also slammed the plans as well as the timing of the consultation period immediately before Christmas He said: “Once again the council is trying to use the motorist as a cash cow “The reasons given for introducing this scheme are not credible 'To modernise on street parking' – this is a meaningless phrase which can be translated into 'make more money' You want the public to believe that parking meters are modernisation HCC said: “The revised proposals seek to address many of the comments made at the earlier consultation namely through the introduction of sections of two-hour limited waiting (free parking) to add flexibility for short stays and turnover near businesses It continued: “The tariff structure a been revised to be linear further enhancing short stay parking which will be £1 for an hour furthermore discounted season tickets will be available for regular users.” Milford parish councillors have previously reported they were receiving a barrage of daily complaints about wild campers living for “weeks at a time” in vans parked at the coastal site Residents in Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West have also regularly complained to HCC about significant numbers of mobile homes and campervans parking overnight HCC stated: “The proposed introduction of on-street pay-and-display parking remains key to resolving the overnight parking of motorhomes and caravans as well as increasing the turnover of spaces “On-street chargeable parking also forms part of the county council’s measures to modernise the on-street parking service with the aim of reducing the scale of subsidy provided from general highway maintenance resources to support parking regulation and enforcement.” Comments on the scheme must be received by Friday 13th December and can be emailed to public.notices@hants.gov.uk 18 March, 2019 By New Forest District Council has been awarded a £200,000 Environment Agency grant for a trial drainage system at Barton on Sea in Hampshire The trial is already underway and will test how groundwater levels can be managed to reduce the risk of cliff instability for the cliff top village When groundwater levels are high in the cliffs at Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire The drainage trial will see a long section of perforated pipe installed downwards from the cliff-top The pipe will extend to the bottom of the cliff Along the way the pipe will pass horizontally between specific layers of underlying rock in order to intercept and drain some of the groundwater The council’s coastal team the historical rate of erosion is estimated to be around 1m per year for the area New Forest District Council portfolio holder for environment Alison Hoare said “We are pleased to be awarded the funding to carry out this trial following the recent ground investigations by the coastal team which showed that this type of groundwater management system was the preferred way forward “This important trial will tell us if this is a suitable approach and inform our coastal protection work going forwards.” The £200k drainage trial is due to be installed this autumn with a year of monitoring to assess how groundwater levels respond and whether there is any impact to the environmentally designated lower cliff areas “This is an important step forward in the ongoing battle to stabilise the cliffs at Barton on Sea and to reduce the rates of erosion “I very much hope this trial is a success and can lead to a major drainage and cliff stabilisation scheme Enabling a greater level of protection to the properties and land along this great coastal frontage.” Want to read more? Subscribe to GE’s enewsletters and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn Glasgow’s £15bn Clyde Metro has taken a step forward with the appointment of Mott MacDonald which will provide consultancy services for key stages of the project Caledonian Maritime Assets is seeking a contractor to carry out ground investigations (GI) for a major project to upgrade ferry fleets and associated infrastructure on the west coast of Scotland The Planning Inspectorate has accepted National Grid’s development consent application for a 138km long electricity cable between Suffolk and Kent Network Rail and Volker Fitzpatrick have stabilised a section of railway cutting between Swanwick and Fareham in Hampshire Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion. Business news, Project news, Industry news and Top Stories More than 40 firefighters from Hampshire and Dorset tackled the blaze which destroyed the property in Marine Drive on Saturday The alarm was raised at 8am and the surrounding area was cordoned off Police said no one was injured but a 72-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson He was later detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act A joint police and fire service investigation is under way to establish the circumstances of the fire Swan Golf Designs is preparing for its sixth phase of a ten-year renovation project at Barton-on-Sea Golf Club Each of the nines at Barton-on-Sea – Becton Needles and Stroller – have been worked on Swan Golf Designs will return in September for the next phase of work Swan Golf Designs is preparing for its sixth phase of a ten-year renovation project at Barton-on-Sea Golf Club on the south coast of England located on a clifftop overlooking the Isle of Wight has 27 holes – a combination of 18 designed by Harry Colt in 1932 and nine completed by J with our compiling an overall audit and appraisal of the golf course in the form of a comprehensive report which gave the club an opportunity to see how in the long term – through a 10-year plan – the course could be renovated to improve its quality and to bring it up to the requirements of the advancing technology of the game and the expectations of the modern golfer,” said Howard Swan was focused on the threat of coastal erosion by modifying five holes of the Stroller course relocating them to combat the reduction in the land available for the holes adjacent to the ocean “One of our first challenges was to defend the clifftop holes from the ocean and ingression of the sea into the land of the golf course,” said Swan “It was a matter of significant concern to the club and the situation was exacerbated because lying between the eroding clifftops and the golf course was the south-west coastal path – a very well used walking route and with public access becoming closer to the axis of play those walking were in considerable danger There was simply not enough distance in between the playing areas and the footpath and safety concerns were unacceptably high and increasing year after year as the sea became closer “Occurrences of this nature are not few and far between the work which we’ve done at Sheringham and Nefyn has been necessitated by the pace of erosion on the coastlines and the retreating landform or elsewhere the adjacency of major public rights of way are creating safety issues such potential hazards are ignored or taken for granted by clubs until the time when something does happen and by then it is too late to take any measures other than reactive ones.” Swan Golf Designs has completed work on each of the nines at Barton-on-Sea – Becton Needles and Stroller – including the restoration of one of Colt’s original holes “We shall return in September to continue with the next phase which will most likely be another five holes on the Stroller nine,” said Swan some new tees and some changes in the layout.” Swan expects the ten-year plan for Barton-on-Sea to be completed in 2022 The fifth at Rockliffe Hall calls for nerve and precision left or right on the closing hole on the Needles nine Looking back from the clubhouse to the closing green at Fota Island Looking back over the island green twelfth hole at Toot Hill These thrilling holes with water lapping up to the green will live long in the memory we take a look at five less well-known but nonetheless thrilling examples and a very fine and interesting mixture of downland parkland and clifftop holes with a smattering of links golf thrown into the mix As at Barton-On-Sea, Fota Island in County Cork is also home to 27 holes The beautiful par-71 Deerpark layout has hosted three Irish Opens the first of which was won by Colin Montgomerie back in 2001 The greens at the short third and par-5 tenth are almost completely surrounded by water as is that at the tree-lined closing hole where a narrow strip of fairway leads precariously out to the green on a lake in front of the stylish clubhouse The accompanying 5-star hotel is a wonderful base for exploring southern Ireland and nowhere more so than at the short twelfth There is no option but to fly the ball all the way to a green with a large bunker on the right Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts He specialises in course reviews and travel and has played over 1,250 courses in almost 50 countries he played all 21 courses in East Lothian in 13 days One of Rob's primary roles is helping to prepare the Top 100 Courses of the UK&I as well as the Next 100 where he is missing two in Scotland and two in Ireland He has been a member of Tandridge for over 30 years where his handicap hovers around 15 You can contact him at r.smith896@btinternet.com COASTAL businesses are pleading for a rethink on plans to introduce on-street parking charges amid fears they will drive away customers. As reported in the A&T, Hampshire County Council is proposing charges along Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West in Barton, along with Saltgrass Lane and New Lane in Keyhaven. Parking at both sites is currently unrestricted, attracting regular complaints from residents during summer when mobile homes and campervans line the roads. However, businesses say the proposals to make on-street parking chargeable between 10am and 6pm will add further pressure when they are already facing a “tough trading environment”. Under HCC proposals, motorists would face a charge of £4 for two hours. Hayley Darbishire, of The Cliff House Restaurant, said: “The mix of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses’ currently rely on customers being able to use the free parking on the clifftop, and in an already challenging trading environment the proposal from the council comes as a blow to the businesses that actually need their support.” Traders from The Cliff House Restaurant, Beachcomber Café, Osclars Coffee House, Pebble Beach, The Watersplash Gym, Barton News and Bathroom Design Centre say they will all be negatively impacted if parking meters are installed at the clifftop. Beachcomber owner Malcolm Barry said: “The council has just added £4 onto the cost of a cup of coffee for my customers. “Not only is the trading environment tough for us at the moment, many of our customers are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis and this will just make it unaffordable for them.” The businesses say HCC has also set out its proposals without consulting them. “Putting such restrictions on car parking is just creating a barrier for people to visit our businesses, and when all we have seen is rising costs over the last 18 months we simply cannot afford to reduce the number of visits too,” said Hayley. She added: “Reducing frequency of visits, dwell time and therefore spend in the businesses in Barton is not going to benefit the local economy. If you’ve got to pay for your parking, and rush back to your car, you are much less likely to enjoy dessert or even pop in for a coffee at the end of your dog walk.” Malcolm Partridge, owner of The Watersplash leisure club, revealed some of his customers are already concerned about the proposal. He said: “A gym membership is already a luxury to many, adding a cost of parking and the stress of having to rush out to move your car has meant my members have already asked me about notice periods.” The group of independent business owners also believe many visitors will also opt to park in the residential roads back from the cliff top, causing congestion and disruption to people living here. There are also concerns that their ability to recruit staff – especially seasonal workers will be impacted as employees will not want to pay £8 to park for the day whilst they are at work. Malcolm Barry added: “Who is set to benefit from this proposal? Not the businesses in Barton, who rely on people visiting the area, not the residents who will have to deal with congestion of the smaller roads back from the seafront, not the visitors looking to spend time in Barton on Sea.” The proposal has also prompted a social media backlash. One resident wrote: “I feel so sorry for the small businesses relying on visitors both local and further. It actually states on the notice it’s to deter people parking for too long so will be easier to get a space! “I'm sure the local businesses like The Beachcomber will be delighted no one's staying for coffees, ice creams etc. Such a cynical move from the council to make money.” Another added: “Not only must people respond to this consultation. They must also send in one comment a day about how lovely the free parking is along the clifftop in order to show support for the current status quo to add further weight to the fact that no one wants this apart from a few entitled people.” A further Facebook user said: “How lovely is it to be able to park up at Barton for an hour, grab an ice cream, go for a short beach walk and then get back in the car and drive back home without having to pay to park? Adding paid parking on the road will only push people to park on the roads behind the sea front.” As part of the plans a number of spaces close to the Barton Court Avenue junction and outside seafront shops would remain free for a maximum one hour stay between 9am and 7pm. A spokesperson for HCC said: “These measures, if approved, will help to manage parking demand in these popular areas, whilst also tackling the issue of overnight parking which has been a cause of long-standing concern for residents. Any revenue generated would cover the cost of implementing the schemes, and also operating, enforcing and maintaining them.” “The proposed hourly parking charges are likely to be set at levels that match the tariffs that are already in place at nearby car parks under the management of the district council.” The consultation runs until 15th March. Comments must be made in writing and can be sent to The Castle, Winchester, or submitted online by emailing public.notices@hants.gov.uk has completed the freehold sale of White Rock Nursing Home in Barton-on-Sea Built around You.Your expert business property advisers Owned and operated by the same family since 1971, White Rock Nursing Home is a 30-registered care home benefitting from 24 bedrooms and a strong local reputation for providing an excellent level of care for residents The business has a ‘Good’ CQC rating and a dedicated staff team and specialises in providing care for those with dementia The home is situated in a quiet tree-lined avenue in the small coastal resort of Barton-on-Sea on the edge of the New Forest National Park Following a confidential sales process with Charles Phillips at Christie & Co, and with funding sourced through Neil Collins at Christie Finance it has been purchased by Sally and David Price who own another care home in Hampshire as well as a domiciliary care agency “White Rock Nursing Home has been an integral part of our family since we opened the care home in 1971 and it has been a very hard decision to sell but we felt the time was right to retire from the sector and hand the business onto a new owner We are delighted that Sally and David will be taking over the care home and with their experience in the care sector we are confident the home is in safe hands.” David and I have been aware of White Rock Nursing Home for a number of years and when approached by Christie & Co to see if we would be interested in purchasing it We already own one care home and also a domiciliary care agency in Hampshire and we believe there will be great synergies amongst our businesses We look forward to taking over the reins of White Rock and continuing the good care provided at the home.” Director - Healthcare at Christie & Co “Having been in contact with Siobhan and Finn for a number of years before being instructed to market their care home we are delighted to have achieved a sale for them We believe that Sally and David are ideal purchasers for the business and we are very pleased to have sold them another care home having assisted them with the purchase of their first care home in Totton A very good level of interest was expressed by applicants for this care home and demonstrates that there is strong demand for homes such as this.” “Working with Sally and David has been a pleasure They had a clear objective that they wanted to achieve and we were able to progress the funding swiftly I wish them all the best with the new home and hope to work with them again soon.” White Rock Nursing Home was sold for an undisclosed price Visit Christie & Co’s Business Search page to find out more about current healthcare listings. Keep up-to-date with our latest listings and more… © Christie & Co 2024 | A member of Christie Group A FORMER NHS site in Barton could be levelled to make way for a block of 31 flats Plans by AJC Group to replace the Becton Centre in The Fairway with a three-storey residential building have been submitted to New Forest District Council the developer stated the NHS had stopped using the site in January 2021 having transferred its mental health services to a facility at Rushington Business Park Estate in Totton The previous owner had “disposed” of the building due to the “significant investment” that would have been needed to make it fit for purpose agent Chapman Lily Planning said the proposed building seeks to implement an “attractive high-quality" development with a modern contemporary appearance that complements the area One objector wrote to NFDC to say the proposed building will have a “detrimental” effect on his home because at least four flats will overlook his back garden He also warned the scheme’s proposed 31 parking spaces left “no allowance” for visitors or two-car families adding this would “no doubt lead to serious parking problems that may also lead to overspill parking on Becton Lane” The applicant told NFDC other people had expressed concerns over the height of the proposed building flats overlooking nearby balconies and gardens and an increase in noise and traffic “generated by the development” Representations were also received asking if the existing building could be retained and redeveloped to offer affordable housing and a “green wall” to absorb fuel emissions from the development AJC said it had received letters from the public praising the scheme for staying within the existing building’s footprint The application states: “The palette of materials proposed includes windows and doorframes having a bronze finish which will be complementary when seen alongside the proposed light-coloured brick and bronze metal cladding fascia detailing to the balconies and the metal cladding and vertical imitation timber cladding to the elevations of the upper floor “The design philosophy works in harmony with the residential character of the locality as well as the need set out in the national planning policy framework to make the optimal use of land “The scheme has been carefully conceived to respect and enhance the character of the area as well as the desire to maintain a good relationship with neighbouring properties and achieve a positive assimilation into the street scene.” The greatest attraction is also the most significant threat to the course at Barton on Sea Golf Club located on England’s south coast overlooking the Channel and the Isle of Wight was extended to twenty-seven holes in the early nineties and takes full advantage of the cliff top setting in creating some wonderfully spectacular holes But now the power of the sea and the UK’s highly changeable climate is taking its toll with the club now finding a number of holes under threat from the receding coastline Swan Golf Designs (SGD) is helping the membership at this highly popular club redesign those holes which are under threat and at the same time is extending its expert analysis to other parts of the course to identify opportunities for improvement five holes will be altered with the construction of new tees new bunkers and one new fairway plus modifications to two greens The second phase of work is anticipated to include that two or three more holes will be renovated with the redesign and reconstruction of tees and bunkering Other proposed improvements consist of the revisions to the overall bunkering throughout the course and further development of the large practice ground to realise a multifunctional range and family golf course Swan Golf Designs www.swangolfdesigns.com Following the news of the theft of over £2 million of stock from its Manchester warehouse last weekend Worldwide Golf Brands reports that the business is 'back up and running' with minimal disruption to the vast majority of its customers the business growth agency for UK and Irish golf clubs has launched a new marketing system that has delivered rapid advances in the service they deliver Brocket Hall has announced that world-renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon is to open a new state-of-the-art putting studio at the Hertfordshire-based venue GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course We aim to supply essential information both quickly and accurately in a format which is easy to use We are independent of all special interest groups Click here to sign up for our free twice weekly golf industry news summary View the latest newsletter here 5/7 High StreetDorchester-on-ThamesOxfordshire OX10 7HHUnited Kingdom publisher@golfbusinessnews.com © 1999-2025 e.GolfBusiness.com Limited | All Rights Reserved. | GBN Privacy Policy A small group of travellers have made an unauthorised camp at Barton’s clifftop Four caravans were at the site by midday after one arrived this morning (Thursday) and New Forest District Council staff have been on site An NFDC spokesperson said: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Marine Drive West “NFDC staff attended the location this morning and liaised with all persons present to address community concerns “We will continue to work with occupants and our partners to seek a suitable resolution.” A spokesperson for Hampshire police added: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Marine Drive West in Barton-on-Sea that was reported to us at 10am on Thursday 22 June “Officers are continuing to monitor the situation and working closely with the landowners It comes after court summons were issued to a group on Bickerley Common this week amid several such recent encampments including at Lymington hospital staff car park Ashley Recreation Ground and Moyles Court School