Milford on Sea's Community Meadow is under immediate threat of being lost for ever.
Can you help save this irreplaceable community asset which is enjoyed by so many.
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PLEASE HELP SAVE MILFORD’S COMMUNITY MEADOW
The Northern part of old Milford Meadow adjacent to All Saints churchyard has been offered for sale by its owners, The Friends of Christchurch Priory.
The sale is marketed by Goadsby via sealed bid tender at a guide price of £100,000 and the deadline for submitting a bid is midday on 29th November 2024.
The Southern part of the Meadow is owned by the village and maintained by the Parish Council as a peaceful area for parishioners to walk, sit and enjoy.
The land for sale has been subject to two failed planning applications for residential development.
The latest application generated over 300 letters of objection and a community petition. This planning application was refused by New Forest District Council in very strong terms.
With the upcoming sale of the Northern part of the Meadow the Parish Council believes that it should make every attempt to acquire this land to protect it in perpetuity as a green open space. The Parish Council will maintain the whole Meadow for the enjoyment of the community and prevent its development.
It is hoped that the generosity of the community will strengthen a bid and improve the chances of being awarded this tender.
The Parish Council is therefore asking for pledges to be made in order to determine the size of the bid that the Village can make.
A pledge of any size will be gratefully received. All pledges will be kept strictly confidential; money pledged will only be required if the Parish Council’s bid is successful.
If you would like to pledge a sum to secure and maintain this land, then please e-mail clerk@milfordonseaparishcouncil.gov.uk before 26th November 2025.
Alternatively, you can visit the Parish Office at 22 High Street or call 01590 644410.
Help to create a legacy for the Village by trying to acquire an important parcel of land, in the centre of our beautiful community, which is beyond value.
Thank you in advance for your kind generosity.
Milford Parish Council and Friends of Milford Meadow.
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About Milford Meadow
The Community Meadow, just beside All Saints' Church, was opened by Milford on Sea Parish Council when hosting a village picnic on Saturday 22nd June 2019.
The meadow was bequeathed by the late Diane Gillespie, a generous Milford on Sea resident.
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| Photo by Ginny Campbell |
It is understood that over the last two years the Parish Council has had several meetings and communications with the Priory about the future of the Meadow - not least about the unmaintained state of the land.
At a recent meeting, the Friends of the Priory were encouraged to let the Parish Council know what they envisaged for the land and it was emphasised that the Parish would like first refusal on buying the meadow, but would need time to raise the money with community involvement.
Subsequently, we have been informed that the land will be offered by tender via Goadsby Estate Agents in Bournemouth with a guide price of £100,000. The tender period is likely to commence in November 2024.
To read more, please click here.
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| Friends of Milford Meadow - November 2022 |
Developers have deep pockets, surely whatever we raise as a community, the developers will increase their figure to out bid us?
ReplyDeleteWe didn’t even know there was a Community Meadow in Milford - how much use does it get?
If lots of public events were regularly held there, we could, as a parish justify its retention but equally NFDC (as every other local authority in the UK) now has a legal obligation to build more houses. I don’t want to see more houses in the Village, although it could be worse e.g. tower blocks! With Christmas coming and as the squeeze inflicted by the new government kicks in - would a small donation of say £10 / £20 / £30 or £50 really make any difference to this campaign? And finally, what will happen to our funds if the bid fails? We may be interested in making a small contribution and await your response.
As I understand the appeal. Anything amounts at this stage are simply a 'pledge to donate'. The money is only donated should a bid proceed.
ReplyDeletePS: The meadow, although 'hidden', is used by many and open to all, particularly in the summer.
Thank you. However, I can’t be the only one, who didn't know those facts, might it help if you include them in the urgent appeal message?
ReplyDeleteThe article does say: "The Parish Council is therefore asking for pledges to be made in order to determine the size of the bid that the Village can make.
ReplyDeleteA pledge of any size will be gratefully received. All pledges will be kept strictly confidential; money pledged will only be required if the Parish Council’s bid is successful."
This is a sealed bid tender, with just one bid to be made by each bidder. Developers will not have the opportunity to adjust their bid once submitted as they won't have access to the other bids.
ReplyDeleteAny size of pledge, however small, will be welcome. If just 2000 Milfords residents pledged £200 each we could submit a bid of £200k !!!!
Many thanks
We moved here 3 years ago and have enjoyed walking through the meadow, sitting and enjoying it, when walking around the village. It is very much a popular amenity, especially for those who live on the north side of the village. We very much supported the previous campaign to save the Priory land from development as it will affect the Milford Parish part of the meadow, and will support this new appeal.
ReplyDelete