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.