Small Grants Scheme COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS APPLICATION FORM 2015

Small Grants Scheme COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS

APPLICATION FORM 2015

Please read all the information on the website carefully before completing this form (www.hants.gov.uk/sgs).

Applicant Details Name: Simon Taylor, Chairman, Hannington Parish Council Address: 7 Oakley Road, Hannington, Hants RG26 5TU Telephone: 01635 299 629 Email: [email protected] Land Owner (1) Name: Mr Colin Keogh Address: The Manor Farm, North Oakley, Tadley, Hants RG26 5TT Telephone: 01256 780 686 Email: [email protected] Land Owner (2) Name: Derek Bailiss, Farm Supervisor on behalf of David Fraser (Owner) Address: North Oakley Farms Ltd, Tadley, Hants RG26 5TT Telephone: 07768817766 (office 01256 781 800) Email: [email protected] Do you have the permission of landowners 1 & 2 to undertake the work? Provide written consent in Appendix 1A ☒

If you are the landowner do you have support of the local community? ☐ Provide written consent in Appendix 1B About the Project Parish: Hannington, Hampshire Path no.: 7104 Provide a brief explanation of the proposed work (e.g. what is the work, why do you want to do it, what is the current condition of the area?) Provide photos of the area in Appendix 2A

The three stile locations at North Oakley currently inhibit the use of this footpath by the less agile and those people with mobility difficulties within the parish community. The proposed replacement of the ‘older’ type of stile structures with gates will clearly encourage both the more infirm members of the community who currently cannot negotiate these stiles and those visitors with mobility difficulties to use this route. Installing gates will provide access to the local footpath circuit to the West (FP 7103a) with its outstanding scenic views and access to the famous Wayfarers Walk heading West (FP 7102) and South (FP 7117). Note that at present larger dogs have to be lifted over all of these stiles. Both landowners are very supportive of this application to provide an unencumbered access amenity to all users.

The mobility difficulties associated with these stiles have been specifically identified in the Countryside Access Plan for the Hampshire Downs 2008-2013, p16. Hannington Parish Council wish to implement the associated recommended action item HD 4.2, p17, with the support of the Countryside Small Grant matched funding scheme.

Where is the location of the project? (e.g is it on a right of way, access land, a common or village Footpath 7104 is located at North green) Oakley, RG26 5TT Provide two map of the area in Appendix 2B: 1 map at 1:25000 Scale 1 detailed map at 1:5000 Scale How will the community benefit from the proposed This project will improve both the access work? (e.g. access to the community, countryside for the local community, and more access, route to school etc) importantly for those older members of the community with mobility difficulties - as well as reduce the Health & Safety risk associated with the ‘older’ stile type structures that will be replaced by the Pedestrian and Kissing gates. Currently larger dogs have to be lifted over the stiles.

What evidence do you have from local people Emails from the local community that this project is supported? (parish council members who have experienced meetings, wider consultation with local difficulties in negotiating the stiles at community, local strategies/plans etc.) Please North Oakley and in some cases, due to evidence of support in Appendix 3A this, no longer use this footpath. In one

case, an elderly person fell off the stile

and injured himself. Hannington Parish Council has recorded minutes regarding H&S issues relating to the North Oakley stiles and supports their replacement with gates. How do you intend to keep the community informed The Parish Council uses the community about the project? (e.g parish notice boards, ‘Hannington Parish News’ temporary signs on sites, parish newsletter etc.) website and the established community email system for distribution of news and reporting on parish council activities and progress. http://hanningtonvillage.weebly.com/ Using the 2015-2025 Countryside Access Plan, please explain which policy area this project covers and how this addresses the actions within this. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/access-plans.htm

REFER to ‘DRAFT’ COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS PLAN 2015-2025. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/access-plans.htm DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO NETWORK MANAGEMENT Objective: To focus existing and future resources on those routes which provide the most benefit to residents, visitors and the local economy.

“Such improvements will benefit all users, including people with mobility difficulties and families.” Footpath 7104 forms a one hour walking circuit to the West side of Hannington Village and provides a direct route to join Wayfarers Walk to the South and West of the village. The three stile locations at North Oakley currently inhibit the use of this route by the less agile and those people with mobility difficulties within the parish community. Replacing the stiles with gates will encourage both the older members of the community and visitors with mobility difficulties to use this route, i.e. to access the circuit to the West with its scenic views, and also the famous Wayfarers Walk heading West and South.

POLICY AREA: WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS Objective: To enable a greater response to local needs through working with others

“. . . replacing stiles with gates . . .” – Hannington Parish Council are working closely with the Ramblers Association volunteers and the HCC Countryside team to improve access at the local North Oakley footpath which is problematic at present. The Ramblers have the experience and skills to safely remove the stiles and install the kissing and pedestrian gates in accordance with the Countryside Service requirements. The Ramblers have agreed to carry out the work at no cost and will use their own Insurance to cover the installation activity. Jonathan Tinkler, the Ramblers Footpaths Secretary performed a site visit on the 15th July 2015 and found no obstructions to completing the gate installation work.

The above Countryside Access Plan is based on the existing seven area plans from 2008 – please refer specifically to ‘Countryside Access Plan for the Hampshire Downs 2008-2013’

“Vision statement - meets the needs of walkers, cyclists and equestrian users, including people with limited mobility, for a safe and coherent system of routes” (Vision - p5.)

Issue 4 - There is a strong demand for improved physical accessibility and usability of existing countryside access, particularly for those who are less mobile (p16.)

“Disabled people in the Hampshire Downs area outlined a number of improvements that would enable more people to use the network. Replacing stiles with kissing gates is welcomed, provided they are wide enough for mobility vehicles and have suitable catches.” (p16)

“There is a good section of the Wayfarers Walk (Malshanger area) which is a bridleway, which is good for disabled ramblers. However, up towards North Oakley stiles and other barriers prevent any further use.” (p16.)

The site was visited by the HCC Countryside team on 15th June 2015 who advocate installing kissing and pedestrian gates to replace the stiles at the three locations. This view is supported by the ‘Countryside Access Plan for the Hampshire Downs 2008-2013’, ‘Aims and Proposed Actions – Aim: Improve physical accessibility of routes and sites – item HD 4.2’, p17.

This project will improve access for the local community and for those with mobility difficulties as well as reduce the Health & Safety risk associated with the ‘old’ type of stile structures that are to be replaced with gates.

Who will be responsible for the maintenance of any Each of the landowners - for the structures? (e.g gates, bridges, boardwalks, pedestrian gate North Oakley Farms mapboards, etc) Limited, and for the two kissing gates

The Manor Farm, Mr Keogh.

If works are to be undertaken on a permissive path please tick who will be able to use this route. – A permissive path is not an official Right of Way, but the landowner has given consent for the public to use them

Walkers ☐ Cyclists ☐ Horse Riders ☐ Motorised users ☐

Who will carry out the work? Contractors ☐ If using a contractor provide the quotation in Appendix 4A, and specification in Appendix 4B. Over £2000, two quotes are required. Volunteers ☒ If using volunteers provide an estimated number of volunteer hours. This time can be used as part of your match funding (See volunteer labour calculator)

Landowner ☐ If the landowner will be using their own staff and equipment, this can count as an in-kind contribution and used as part of the match funding. Provide a breakdown of the contribution of appendix 4A and specification in 4B

Name the project officer you have discussed your Beth Rutterford project with: [email protected] Tel: 01256 840 483 Is a temporary path closure required? This will ☐ cost an addition £160 If applying for leaflets, where will they be distributed?

Project Costs Please note the scheme does not cover the costs of VAT Description of works: Estimated Costs (£) Purchase of 2 x Kissing gates and 1 x Pedestrian gate, net of VAT. see Appendix 5A £738 – ‘Other’ McVeigh Parker & Co Limited Quotation These gates are to be installed by the Ramblers association volunteers who have been working with the Countryside Team on similar projects. Temporary path closure £160 ☐

Landowner in-kind contribution May form no more than 50% of the total project cost. A breakdown of the costs / contribution must be provided in Appendix 2E. Estimated volunteer Hours = 27 £180.90 To be calculated at no more than £53.60/person/day (i.e. £6.70/person/her) and may form no more than 25% of the total project cost. Use the volunteer calculator to help work out your costs. Total Project Costs (excluding VAT)

Funding

A. Funding B. New Forest C. Match D. Match E. Total requested National Park Funding – Funding Project 50% of the total project 25% contribution – only remaining project – volunteer Costs costs use this box if you are in costs including labour the National Park. landowner contribution £ 369 + £ + £ 188.10 + 180.90 = £ 738

If a grant is offered, where will the remaining funds Hannington Parish Council will contribute (match funding) come from? Please give sources and the remaining amount totalling £335.70 amounts? (VAT plus match funding).

“I have read the funding conditions and guidance and if successful in this application undertake to ensure that any work will be completed with these.”

Name: Simon Taylor, Chairman, Hannington Parish Council

Date: 20th July 2015

Completed application forms must be emailed to [email protected] by 4pm on the application deadline (27 April, 27 July, 26 October).

Supporting Documents Appendix Checklist

☒ APPENDIX 1A LAND OWNER CONSENT ☒ APPENDIX 1B PARISH COUNCIL SUPPORT APPENDIX 2A PHOTOS OF THE AREA ☒ APPENDIX 2B LOCATION MAP ☒

☒ APPENDIX 3A EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT APPENDIX 4A QUOTATIONS APPENDIX 4B SPECIFICATION

☒ APPENDIX 5A OTHER - Quotation and Gate Descriptions

APPENDIX 1A LAND OWNER CONSENT Please provide written consent from the Landowner – this can be an email or a letter

Landowner 1. The Manor Farm, Mr Colin Keogh

Landowner 2. North Oakley Farms Limited

APPENDIX 1B PARISH COUNCIL SUPPORT Please provide written support from the parish council

APPENDIX 2A PHOTOS OF THE AREA

Please make sure your photos clearly show the issue you are trying to address. The panel do not know your area so it is essential they can rely on these. If multiple photos are provided, arrange with no less than four photos per page.

Stile near to Ashe Lane, to be replaced by a Stile at Map Ref: SU5386454234 to be replaced by kissing gate. Map Ref: SU5385154149 FP7104 a kissing gate FP7104

Double Stile at Map Ref: SU5386254253 FP7104 to be replaced by a Pedestrian gate. This stile is extremely awkward to negotiate, more so or impossible for those persons with mobility difficulties. Note: Larger dog breeds have to be carried over these three stile locations. APPENDIX 2B LOCATION MAP Maps must be marked to show the relevant information for the application (e.g. the extent of the path on which the works will be completed; the location of any gates to be replaced; the location of mapboards etc.). HCC can provide maps if required.

The panel will not be familiar with your area. Please make sure road and landmarks are named and the site of the proposed work is clearly marked.

Site Map (1:5000): North Oakley RG26 5TT, FP7104 Three ‘old’ type stiles to be replaced by gates: Map with location references.

Large Scale Site Map (1:25000):

North Oakley - Reference: Pathfinder 1203 OS (SU 45/55) Context Footpath Network North Oakley, RG26 5TT

APPENDIX 3A EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT This can include written reports from the public

Email examples of Hannington Parish community experiences with regard to the stiles at North Oakley and of their support for the replacement of stiles by gates. The parish was asked via community email on its view – no objections had been raised to this project.

“I am very much in support of replacing these stiles with kissing-gates as a much safer and user-friendly way of maintaining the footpath between N Oakley and Hannington.

I am particularly concerned at the state of the double stile on the path. Jo and I are regular walkers and have two dogs. The stiles form a difficult barrier to traverse. They are extremely awkward to negotiate since there are no dog-runs to guide a pet through and any dog must be carried over. The proximity of the stiles means that you cannot put your dog down. One is either obliged or at least encouraged to attempt stepping from one stile to the next which is a precarious exercise. The wear and tear on the wood has made this situation worse.

I have a retriever and a spaniel and frankly, carting either over the stiles is dangerous in anything but the driest weather. Even then, it is not something to be undertaken by anyone with the slightest infirmity whether they have a dog or not. For those without dogs there is the equal danger of slipping on the woodwork should anyone seek to hop from one stile to the next.

Jo and I are both in our early 50s and are pretty fit however we avoid using this path specifically because of these stiles. If anyone were to fall between the stiles and injure themselves they could remain undetected for several hours since, due to this problem, the path is little used. If that were to happen in wet or cold weather the consequences could be serious.

I welcome the proposed refurbishment which will alleviate this danger to the public and allow the path to be used as it should.”

Source: Jon Whitfield [email protected]

“I would like to inform you about the mishap I had at the stile above North Oakley recently. I was walking my dog across from Hannington and attempted to climb over the stile, always difficult for someone in their seventies, as I am. I was almost over, when I slipped and fell heavily backwards, landing on my back and badly grazing both my arms on the way down and on landing. I was pretty shaken up for a few minutes as you would expect. That particular stile is situated along, what is a favourite walk of mine and would be made so much easier if it were to be replaced by a gate.”

Source: David Vickery [email protected]

“Sorry I completely forgot the North Oakley stiles probably because I don’t walk that way because of the stiles.

Starting with the one from the [Ashe] lane at North Oakley

The sides of the stile are wired up, so if walking a dog and its old forget it unless you are strong enough to lift your dog over or try to open the gate, it use to be fine but the last time I walked that way I found it too difficult.

Gate at the top of the field is very difficult to open The double stile again is really difficult sides wired up…..even when my Labrador was young he struggled to get through, even where walkers had pushed up the wire. Not user friendly at all

The walkers that come and walk our footpaths are usually older people and it just spoils a lovely walk and being able to enjoy the countryside when you come across all these impassable stiles …..and this is one of the reasons I stopped walking that way because the stiles are rubbish.. . .”

Source: M Hughes [email protected]

“I was injured four years ago twisting my knee when trying to get over one of the stiles, and have had difficulty navigating them ever since.

I am therefore delighted that the new Parish Council looks to have found a solution that is supported by all concerned including the landowners, the ramblers, the residents, and hopefully Hampshire County Council.”

Source: Chris Pottinger [email protected]

“I endorse the views recently expressed by Chris, my husband, and would be delighted if this proposal was implemented, as we have been unable to take this route from White Lane into Hannington for the last two years.

We are looking forward to, once again, being able to walk to and from the village.”

Source: Liz Pottinger [email protected]