New Milton Advertiser 22nd Jan 2021

Friday 22nd January 2021 · 5

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Hurst Castle in need of ‘urgent’ erosion repairs

Body found in flat above village Indian restaurant The death is not being treated as suspicious

HERITAGE experts are car- rying out “urgent” repairs to the east wing of the landmark Hurst Castle where it is being undermined by coastal erosion. However, fears that with- out the work the 15th century building, near Milford, could topple into the Solent were re- jected by national conservation agency English Heritage. The organisation has already carried out extensive work to the west wing battery which was hit by storms and high waves, leading to its closure for a weekend in November 2019. It has replaced broken groynes and barriers along with replenishing the beach with 7,500 tonnes of shingle. It has also underpinned the west wing’s foundations. But having finished that work, English Heritage now needs to tackle erosion under the east wing where recent storms have washed away shin- gle leaving huge gaps below its foundations. A source who works at the castle said there were “real Fears the structure could fall into Solent have been rejected BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI STRONG opposition from resi- dents prompted a developer to withdraw a controversial plan to build 16 homes on a green- belt site in Ashley. AJC Homes, the affordable housing element of Poole-based AJ Developments, had submit- ted an outline application to New Forest District Council for the development on land south-east of Spring Lane. However, after a public con- sultation saw 38 letters of ob- jection sent to NFDC, the firm backed down about a month before the decision deadline. It said it was “respecting the views of the local community”. As reported in the A&T, New Milton Town Council opposed the proposal, partly due to it not providing 100% affordable housing provision. The scheme comprised 10 three-bedroom and six two-bedroom properties with associated parking, but AJC Homes had said five of them needed to be market housing to enable grant funding. Commenting on the plan be- ing pulled, AJC Homes director David Cracklen told the A&T the developer had believed AN action plan approved by BCP Council in response to seri- ous criticism of its children’s ser- vices by Ofsted inspectors will be published later this month. The authority announced the 15-point document had been agreed but told the A&T it would only be revealed on 27th January – the day after the next meeting of the children’s servic- es overview and scrutiny com- mittee. It includes leadership chang- es, an urgent independent re- view of 60 complex cases, and staff retention initiatives, it said, but refused to release the plan publicly.

person said: “The reality is, because of its very unique loca- tion, Hurst Castle will remain vulnerable to the changing nat- ural environment.” It is currently working with other agencies on a “sea de- fence programme” to address the long shore drift on the Lym- ington to Hurst Spit area of the coast. It said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to make sure that Hurst Castle continues to command the western Solent.” Worried reader Martin West- on contacted the A&T with photos showing just how ex- tensive the damage to the east wing is. Mr Weston spotted the dam- age while out on a walk. He said: “The beach shingle has been scoured from under the castle foundation. If left unchecked this will cause a structural fail- ure of the wall which will col- lapse under its own weight. “The incoming and outgoing high tide is now washing direct- ly against the masonry, and if there is any sea running there is a considerable hydraulic action against and under the castle wall. “I cannot impress enough the urgency of implementation of either temporary or permanent solutions.”

THE body of a man in his 50s was found in a flat above an In- dian restaurant in Brockenhurst on Saturday afternoon. Scenes-of-crime officers were spotted at the Dynasty outlet on Brookley Road later that evening, but a spokesperson for Hampshire police told the A&T investigators were not treating the death as suspicious.

“We were called to an address inBrookley Road around 2.35pm on the afternoon of 16th January where the body of a man in his 50s was found,” he said. “The man’s next of kin have been made aware and are being supported. The death is not be- ing treated as suspicious, with a file being prepared for the coro- ner in due course.”

Picture: Martin Weston

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Hurst Castle is constantly vulnerable to the changing environment. Inset, a gap between the shingle and the structure’s foundations

damage to the east wing but finding a long-term solution to the harm caused to the castle by coastal erosion is “challeng- ing”. An English Heritage spokes-

not the case, however, saying: “While urgent repairs are re- quired to the east wing battery, there is no immediate risk to Hurst Castle.” It said it is tackling the new

fears” that if left unrepaired the whole wall of the east wing could disappear into the sea, saying: “It is hugely worry- ing.” English Heritage insist this is

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The homes were set for land near Spring Lane in Ashley

Cllr Mike White, cabinet member for children’s servic- es, said: “Providing the servic- es our young people deserve is absolutely our top priority. The urgency and attention being given to the action plan reflects this. “We have already delivered on a number of actions includ- ing new leadership roles, and we are completely committed to achieving the rest before the end of March.” The council and its senior leadership team have said they fully accepted the findings of the Ofsted report from November last year, and have provided sig- it would meet a “substantial need” for affordable housing in New Milton. “Local and neighbourhood planning policies place a strong emphasis on community sup- port for rural exception sites and AJC Homes liaised with the town council on this land, and other opportunities to deliver affordable housing,” he said. “Following our discussion we concluded that, while some concerns were expressed, the site had sufficient potential to warrant an outline planning ap- plication.”

nificant financial help towards the cost of overcoming the fail- ings. Elaine Redding, corporate director for children’s services, said: “We know we have to im- prove rapidly if our services to local children and families are to meet the standards expected of us. “We are working extremely hard to ensure we have a service fit for purpose to ensure bright- er futures for all our young peo- ple.” The council said it was work- ing closely with the Department for Education on improvements within the service. But Mr Cracklen continued: “The application, however, re- ceived a strong level of local ob- jection and, upon reflection, the town council considered the issue could not be resolved and objected accordingly. “Respecting the views of the local community, AJC Homes withdrew its application.” Concerns over the potential impact on ecology were also cited by the town council, along with fears of heightened traffic and lack of parking – also raised by residents – and flood risks due to drainage issues. A T L YMINGTON

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