Friends of New Milton Station put No.1 New Milton project back on track with £40k fundraising campaign

THERE’S fresh hope in the long-running saga to restore New Milton’s first building.

Plans to bring the town’s disused station master’s house into community use have repeatedly hit the buffers since former town mayor the late Keith Craze spearheaded a project to convert the site into a heritage centre in 2018.

But the Friends of New Milton Station (FNMS) have now officially launched its campaign for No.1 New Milton, with hopes to raise £40,000 in seed funding.

The town council has kick-started the fundraiser with £10,000 awarded in community infrastructure levy (CIL) cash.

The group ultimately wants to see the station master’s house, garden and disused building on the south side restored and brought into community use.

The £40,000 would pay for the lease, legal fees, structural surveys, public consultation, planning application and working drawings with full costings.

Once the full cost of the renovation works is known, grants applications can be made.

A heritage centre remains one of the potential uses future uses for the site, along with a meeting room, exhibition space, tearoom, shop, art studio and study centre.

FNMS chair Mandy Hayes, together with Julia Stamper and other committee members, is leading the campaign.

She stressed a decision on the site’s final use would be subject to a public consultation.

Donations of £25 or more will secure a name on the Founder’s Wall artwork to be displayed at the house.

An online funding page has been set up.

Mandy said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to join together and create an asset for our town that everyone can enjoy.

“The station is not only the gateway to our town, it is the heart of our town. Without our station, there would be no New Milton.

“We are asking for everyone to get involved – businesses, organisations and the good people of New Milton.”

As reported in the A&T, previous delaying factors for No.1 New Milton included the Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainty over funding.

Last year it looked to have been derailed for good after it was discovered around £300,000 was needed to address significant drainage issues, as well as an unstable wall.

FNMS will work on the project with award-winning community interest company Hampshire Community Rail Partnership, which has previously helped bring 10 railway buildings into community use.

It is currently working on the Romsey station house, and the Friends are confident it can help create something special in New Milton.

Mandy and Julia presented their plan to a recent town council amenities meeting, which heard £100,000 previously invested into the project by Network Rail had been used for electrical work and external decoration.

Mandy advised the initial project was expected to take 18 to 24 months, stressing other tasks could be carried out alongside the lease process which could take six to nine months.

Cllr Alan O’Sullivan, who has previously been involved with No.1 New Milton plans as Milton Heritage Society treasurer, strongly supported the new development.

He was joined by fellow councillor Valya Schooling and mayor Cllr Alvin Reid in calling for public, organisational and financial backing from the council.

It was unanimously agreed to recommend the finance and general purposes committee approve £10,000 of CIL funding.

The building was the home of the station master and family from the station’s 1888 opening until the last one retired in 2007.

The exterior retains many original features such as fingerplates, and fireplaces remain inside.

Julia, who has been on the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan working group for eight years, pointed out the hyper local vision identified the station master’s house as a heritage feature.

The residents’ association vice-chair told the A&T: “I think we’ve got a great opportunity to save it and turn it into a fantastic community asset for the town.

“The support from the community to save the station master’s house has been wonderful and we look forward to opening it in the not too distant future.”

For more information visit newmilton.org.uk/crowdfunder