Over 100 back bigger base for New Forest Basics Bank

MORE than 100 people have written in support of the New Forest Basics Bank moving to a new base in Lymington to secure its future.

The charity, which since launching in 2004 has distributed more than 7,000 food parcels, wants to relocate from its current home behind the United Reformed Church to a bigger, purpose-built facility in High Street.

It has asked New Forest District Council for permission to erect a single-storey outbuilding on land the authority owns behind Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph's Church at Number 132 – prompting a wave of support from residents.

Trustee Andrew Sutherland, a Conservative town councillor, wrote to NFDC warning the current facilities must be vacated by 2025 and had become “totally inadequate” to meet the growing demand.

He said: “The New Forest Basics Bank provides a vital service for the less fortunate people and families of the New Forest area, some of whom are experiencing great difficulty at the moment with delays to their Universal Credit payments.

“The new premises will provide good storage and administration space as well as being easily accessible for the people who need to collect their food parcels in person.”

Ashley Infant School head teacher Sarah Dibben also wrote: “As the local authority is aware, budget cuts in many services have left lots of families in need of help.

“To lose another essential service will increase pressure on children's services, health and education.”

The application said the basics bank would pay NFDC an annual £200 on a 21-year lease for the site of the new building, which would be flat-roofed, clad in timber and cover about 161 square metres.

One supporter added: “The NFBB is serviced by a team of volunteers who strive endlessly to improve the lives of the families they support, who sadly, struggle within in our society.

“There are pockets of real poverty across the county and sadly, the current welfare system is simply not providing adequately for many families.”

There was only one objection, from a resident of Hamilton Mews, off Gosport Street, who said the new building would cause “substantial damage” from overlooking and an out-of-character “industrial” design.

New Forest Basics Bank was founded by the Rev. John Begbour, from New Milton, and is backed by churches across the area.

As reported in the A&T, the popular operation was recently supported by potters who created 100 handmade soup bowls to be sold at venues around Lymington to raise money.

NFDC is scheduled to make a decision on the planning application by 20th March. The consultation deadline was 3rd March.