On Saturday 20 July 2024 at Ashley Recreation Ground, New Milton, the Town Mayor, Cllr Alvin Reid, proudly cut the ribbon to officially open the new Ashley Youth Hub on behalf of New Milton Town Council.
Following years of planning and delayed building, enduring restrictions during the Covid pandemic, the official opening was a welcome realisation of the Council’s desire to provide youth services locally.
The building works were funded mainly from developer contributions and formed part of the Ashley Regeneration Project which started with the playpark redesign with new equipment completed in 2022.
The Mayor said “This is a very special occasion for the residents of New Milton, and particularly those living here in Ashley.”
He continued “Ashley Recreation Ground is a great community asset, offering green space for everyone to enjoy, a well-equipped play park for our young people, and the home ground for the successful New Milton Rugby Club.”
The project also included environmental enhancements to the car park and the installation of a footpath to allow easy access across the Recreation Ground, particularly for families going between the Ashley Schools, Junior and Infants, and this aspect formed part of the Green Routes Initiative.
Chairman of the Amenities Committee, Cllr Geoff Blunden, said “We have invested in the Ashley Recreation Ground for our young people and the wider community to enjoy for many years to come, and I am delighted to open this new much improved play area for families to enjoy.”
The shops along Ashley Parade had struggled over recent years with the degradation of the pavement outside their businesses. Because of the complexities of shared ownership in this area, New Milton Town Council decided to lead the way and applied for grant funding to carry out resurfacing. Funding of £15k was received from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). That sum was matched from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds.
The improvements at Ashley Parade also include extra floral displays and these are greatly appreciated by the businesses and residents. Business owners were very positive about the improvements noting an increase in footfall.
Cllr Blunden said “This is really good news for Ashley. A much-improved shopping parade.” he declared when cutting the ribbon.
Dated: 23 July 2024
More information available from:
Graham Flexman
Town Clerk
New Milton Town Council
Tel: 01425 619120
Email: info@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Further information regarding Youth Services and Ashley Youth Hub from Louise.Beardmore@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Further information regarding UKSPF : New Forest District Council has contributed funding towards this project from their allocation of the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.