All Saints’ Church and Friends of Priory Church Christchurch go head to head in battle for Milford meadow

TWO local churches are at odds over plans to develop land next to a community meadow in Milford.

Dozens attended a public meeting to oppose the scheme, close to All Saints’ Church in the village, that would benefit the Friends of Priory Church Christchurch.

Nearly 150 objections have been lodged so far with New Forest District Council, which is considering the proposals.

As reported by the A&T, the Friends own an area of green space in the centre of Milford which was bequeathed to them as a charity by the late Diane Gillespie.

Now Bayview Developments has submitted plans to build a four-bedroom house there, with access from Knowland Drive. The Friends say proceeds from the sale of the site would pay for a singing coach to work in local schools.

There is concern, however, as the site adjoins a separate meadow which Miss Gillespie also left to Milford Parish Council in 2015.

She bequeathed it on condition it should remain an open space to the benefit of the community.

It is managed by the parish council and used by a local nursery and as a space for quiet prayer by church members.

At a public meeting at All Saints’ Church hall, representatives from the Milford church spoke out against development.

Colin Fry said: “Clearly those of us with a particular interest in the environment were excited by the donation of this meadow alongside the churchyard because it extends the interest of the church to a fuller part of the Milford Conservation Area.

“We were obviously very disappointed by the decision of the Christchurch church trustees to use the land simply as a means of increasing their financial aspects.”

Mr Fry continued: “We know ecological areas depend very much on not only their size but also their connectivity to other areas.

“Reducing this site by a quarter of a hectare will reduce the ability of wildlife to inhabit the whole area.”

He concluded: “To lose this area would negatively impact our worship and mission as a church community.”

Local environmentalist Keith Metcalf said that semi-natural grassland had declined nationwide by 97% in the past 50 years.

He continued: “The parish council’s part of the site is of particular importance to the whole community. It’s used regularly by a number of users and is well maintained by Milford Gardeners Club and the parish council.”

Mr Metcalf claimed that during her lifetime Miss Gillespie had approached Hampshire Wildlife Trust and asked it to take on the land.

Local farmer Matthew Cobb described the meadow as “precious”.

He added: “This is a really unique and special piece of land and we’ve got to protect it. It needs to be left as it is.”

Ian Dunn, chief executive of conservation charity Plantlife International, said the ancient meadow was an important piece of land which must be protected.

Pledging to get behind the community campaign to save the meadow, Mr Dunn added: “There is an underlying principle that every single piece of valuable land that we have in the UK needs to be protected – protected and connected.”

A statement from the Friends of Priory Church Christchurch said that regardless of the outcome of the planning application a “clear boundary marker” would be erected to clarify the proportion of private meadow owned by the charity.

It continued: “Since taking ownership of the meadow land, we have and will continue to work closely with the parish council and our neighbours to try and accommodate all of our needs.

“However, as trustees we have a legal obligation to work in the interest of the charity to maximise the worth of any assets. It must try to achieve the best financial outcome for the charity.

“In addition, and particularly in this case, we are also very mindful of the need to fulfil Miss Gillespie’s wishes.”

The public have until 16th December to comment on the planning application.