A MAJOR community project to open up a treasured and historic piece of the New Forest to the public has received vital council backing with a £4,000 cash boost.

At a meeting of the district council's leisure services committee, councillors agreed financial support for plans to allow increased public access to the woodlands and lakes in the grounds of the former Gurney Dixon centre, at Lymington's Priestlands School.

The school is already working with various agencies to develop the site, and is also submitting a Heritage Lottery Fund bid for a large heritage project set for both the house and grounds.

The grant from the council will go towards the project's £30,000 first phase, which will restore the lakes by dredging, stocking them with fish, providing facilities for angling and pond dipping and creating paths around the area, which will then be managed by Lymington and Pennington Town Council.

New Forest Council leader Simon Hayes, speaking at the launch of the Lakes project, said: "Two years ago, Hampshire County council began plans to restore the Gurney Dixon building.

"The vision was that the building, the lakes and the grounds should be open to all. I am delighted that, with the backing of the county and now New Forest District Council, that vision is becoming reality.

"What is being created is not just a fine building with interesting grounds, it is a place of learning and education for our young people and for the wider community - a place for art, music and the performing arts. This is a real asset for our town."

The council's contribution should see the initial phase of the project finished by the end of the current financial year.

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