New Forest District Council’s cabinet allocates almost £1m from Community Infrastructure Levy for improvements in East Boldre, Fordingbridge, Lymington and Totton

ALMOST £1 million from developers’ contributions has been allocated to support local infrastructure projects across the New Forest.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), introduced in 2015, goes to the district council to mitigate the impacts of development on local communities. Last year, the council allocated £4.5m of CIL money for the regeneration of town centres, upgrades to walking routes, new play areas and flood defences.

Now NFDC’s cabinet has approved an allocation of £998,100.87 to 31 projects ranging from new play areas and multi-use games areas to footpath improvements, solar panel installations, and enhancements to community buildings.

Among the projects receiving funding are the redevelopment of East Boldre Village Hall, new drainage infrastructure for Sway Cricket Pavilion, and pedestrian improvements in Fordingbridge.

There are also plans to enhance recreational spaces, including the installation of new play equipment in Totton and Eling, and improvements to the sea water baths in Lymington. The funding will support transport and accessibility enhancements, too, such as the promotion of the Castleman Trailway in Ringwood through new signage and benches.

Cabinet member for planning and economy, Cllr Derek Tipp, said: “This investment ensures that the infrastructure needed to support new development is delivered in a way that benefits our residents.

“The wide range of projects being funded demonstrates our commitment to enhancing local facilities, improving accessibility, and supporting sustainable development across the New Forest.”

He added: “We recognise the hard work that goes into preparing these bids, and we are pleased to be able to fund so many valuable initiatives that will make a real difference to local communities.”

At the latest cabinet meeting, members also agreed to open an early two-month window for the next round of bids for funding in 2026/27. This would assist the council in ascertaining demand in the district for projects, as well as creating the opportunity to accelerate the approval of projects.

Cllr Malcolm Wade welcomed the funding news, saying: “I am very supportive of this and it is important the CIL money we have is spent on New Forest residents while we are still able to control that.

“As you all know, I am very supportive of Hythe ferry and I am pretty sure they will put in a bid to get the pontoon fixed. If they meet the criteria, I hope the authority would support that.

“Not only does it take cars off the A326 but it brings tourists to the New Forest and supports the community as a whole, and it is the right thing to do. It shows we are a joined together community supporting our own assets.”

As reported in the A&T, the service, which connects Hythe and Southampton, has been out of action since last August after engineers declared the boarding pontoon unsafe.

The Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company, which was set up in 2023 following Red Funnel’s purchase of the service, says it needs £250,000 for a new pontoon as the existing one cannot be repaired.

Earlier this month a plea to Conservative-run New Forest District Council to support the “well-loved” historic service with a one-off £60,000 grant was dismissed, which has been branded “shocking” by Cllr David Harrison of the Lib Dem opposition.

A spokesperson for the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company told the A&T it was “in touch with officers at NFDC to discuss the opportunity of a strategic CIL application”, adding: “We hope they will support our application.”

Following reports on social media that the Hythe ferry had been seen operating by a resident, the spokesperson added: “[The ferry] returned to Hythe on Monday for crew training. We were not operational nor carrying any passengers.

“The pier and train remain open and we welcome the public to come and visit.”

The council has also allocated £313,000 to local projects from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), awarded by the government.

Cllr Derek Tipp added: “This is yet another opportunity for the council to provide for our communities; this time a lot of the funding is to give the economy a boost.”

He added projects included help for start-up businesses and apprentices, and support for people not in work or education. There are also three schemes to “improve the environment for the benefit of residents”, which includes replacement litter bins, noticeboards and repairs to the walkway planks along Hythe promenade.

A “lack of detail” about the proposal to rebuild the Hythe ferry pontoon, including what other options have been looked at, meant the council could not allocate any of the UKSPF, a report stated.

It noted while the ferry encourages tourism, improves connectivity to jobs, education and leisure, as well as having environmental benefits and being “an important part” of local heritage and culture, there has already been “significant” public subsidy previously.

The cabinet also agreed no funding should be allocated to improving the Bluestar bus service connecting Calshot with the Waterside and Southampton following cuts by the operator.

A report explained investment back into this service could range from the reintroduction of an hourly service at an estimated annual cost of £180,000, to a single additional service to fill a significant gap during late mornings at £25,000 per annum.

However, historical data showed “limited patronage”, which called into question the financial sustainability of the service once UKSPF funding ran out.

Cllr Alan Alvey told members: “The bus service to and from Calshot is a problem and we are in discussion with Hampshire County Council to try and get funding – we have not yet had success – and we are also looking at possible funding sources. But anything this council could do would be greatly appreciated.”