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County Council agrees sale of Haven House to generate vital funds for National Nature Reserve
Investment plans for Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve have taken a step forward following an agreement by Hampshire County Council to accept an offer for Haven House
This comes after an assessment of several formal offers for the property, considering both the financial and community benefits of the bids, with the chosen offer expected to both raise funds for the Nature Reserve and meet the aspirations of the local community.
Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Countryside and Regulatory Services said: “Last year we identified a funding gap in the projected running costs of Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve totalling £1.8 million over three years. This included a pressing need to invest in the Nature Reserve to deliver our obligations to the site, which is of international importance to wildlife, and to improve the visitor experience. Selling Haven House is an essential step to generate these much-needed funds.
“I am keenly aware of the strong local interest in the future of Haven House. County Council officers and I have dedicated a significant amount of time over the last 12 months to support local residents by providing information and guidance in developing their own alternative proposals. The fact remains that the County Council is facing significant financial pressures, and it needs to ensure best use of public resources. We hope that the aspirations of the community will be met by the successful bidder. As a next step, we will now progress the details of the sale with the prospective owner and hope to provide further information in due course.”
Agreement to accept an offer for Haven House was made at Councillor Oppenheimer’s Decision Day on Thursday 21 December. Details of the bids received for Haven House are commercially confidential.