New path and bridge extension part of £160k enhancement scheme for New Milton’s Ballard Lake
A NEW footpath and an extended footbridge with viewing deck are among plans set for a New Milton beauty spot.
The £160,000 revamp – the second phase in the Ballard Lake enhancement – is expected to commence in the week beginning Monday 15th July.
It has been approved for inclusion in the New Forest District Council recreational habitat mitigation programme for 2024/25.
This phase follows 2018’s introduction of an enhanced walking route, connecting Ballard Lake Park to Walkford via Ballard Wood and open green spaces at Chatsworth Park.
According to the concept plan, it aims to deliver “an enhanced visual, accessible and ecological environment at Ballard Lake Park”.
A buff tarmac footpath will be laid across the park from Lake Grove Road, to provide a link to routes to the woodland and water meadow, and north of the lake.
This would also allow more accessibility during the wet months of the year, with existing footpaths also repaired and resurfaced.
It is not intended to replace the four existing footbridges, which were deemed to be in a good state.
But the bridge over the outfall to Dane Stream could be replaced or extended to provide a stopping point to enjoy the views.
This would include a curved deck extension over the lake edge, if the budget allows.
A new sitting area would be created to the south side of the lake, with the bank cut back alongside the new path to create a sloped entrance.
New seats and picnic benches will also be installed, with any memorials on existing seats retained.
These will be set on a hard surface, either as an extension to the footpath material, or areas of hoggin.
There will be new planting, designed to enhance and maintain the site’s distinct character, which could include trees, hedges and enhanced grassland.
New horizontal bar estate railings are set to be installed at the Lake Grove Road and Fernhill Lane boundaries, retaining informal access.
As well as protecting the woodland that is a site of importance for nature conservation (SINC), it is intended to be distinct and robust to reflect the site’s town gateway location.
NFDC’s phase 2 project will closely follow the town council’s lake dredging to increase its capacity and improve water quality and fish health.
Land drainage will also be installed to the south of the lake to relieve slow draining surface water.
The cost is being covered by £20,000 in New Forest District Council CIL (community infrastructure levy) funding, along with £40,000 in section 106 drainage money and £100,000 in NFDC mitigation funds.
As reported in the A&T, the eight-week programme was expected to cause some noise and disruption, with plans to publish a schedule on the town council’s website.
The amenities committee was due to look over the concept documents at its next meeting on Tuesday 9th July.
