Destination Hayling - An Uphill Approach

- Mon 7th Aug 2006

Havant Borough Council today announced that it had been informed that the Destination Hayling Island bid had not reached the next round of funding via the Big Lottery Fund.

"We are of course extremely disappointed in this decision," said Managing Director, Gwen Andrews.  "However, it is not the end of the journey.  We have, with the help of the Hayling Island community, developed a vision for the regeneration of the seafront and we intend to pursue that vision."

The Living Landmarks programme of the Big Lottery Fund will shortly announce those projects that have got through to the next round of funding, which will allow them to develop a full business case for investment from the programme.  The Living Landmarks committee will provide feedback to Havant Borough Council on the reasons for rejecting its bid in September.

"That feedback will help us to understand what more we need to do to make this a viable project," said Paul Ramshaw, head of urban design for the Council.  "We have not been working long on this idea, and we have built incredibly strong support from the community and from other important stakeholders including Tourism South East and the RYA.  The next step for us is to find the funding to do a master plan for the seafront, so that we can see what is financially viable and how the work might be staged."

Ms Andrews congratulated all of the people who had been involved with the bid on their hard work in support of the development.  "We hope they will all stay with this project, " she said, "and help us to realise the potential of Hayling Island seafront."

A stakeholder meeting will be organised in September after the feedback has been received from the Living Landmarks programme.

More information about the Destination Hayling bid can be found at www.destinationhayling.com

By forum user, Mat