Hope for popular visitor centre, café and shop
Haven House at Titchfield Haven was shut just before Christmas
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Hill Head Residents Association have until June 13, 2023, to present their proposal to bid to take on the ownership of Haven House at Titchfield Haven and manage the nature reserve.
Titchfield Haven is part of Hampshire County Council’s country parks estate; however, it’s been controversial in the past months due to the Haven House’s closure.
At the moment, Haven House and Haven Cottage are closed after a decision made by county council in December 2023.
The café and shop were closed, leaving the reception open to sell tickets.
Following a campaign by residents to have the visitor centre listed as an asset of community value, Fareham Borough Council ruled in November that it cannot be sold to anyone other than the residents’ association for the next six months.
Now, Fareham residents can submit a proposal to take on the ownership of the Haven House.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has submitted a written request to take on the ownership of the national nature reserve and Haven House.
The Trust is working with the Hill Head Residents Association (HHRA) to allow them to bid for Titchfield Haven House in a joint proposal.
In terms of doing so, the association wants to create a new community charity, the Titchfield Haven Community Hub (THCH), to be able to present either a joint proposal with two separate business plans or a lease proposal in which the trust will be the owner of both the natural reserve and house and THCH would rent the building.
They have three scenarios and a deadline of June 13 2023, to submit the proposal.
At the universal services – countryside and regulatory services select committee on Friday (March 24), Cllr Rod Cooper said, “We are in the period of moratorium, has there been any expression or any proposals to move forward to the council for a cafe facility or future on that side?” he asked.
“We have not received any proposal to date. We know there is work going on at the moment with the Hill Head Residents Association and the Hampshire Trust, and we are helping them with the information that they require. They have a deadline of June 13,” said Jo Heath, assistant director recreation, information and business services.
As well as the update on Titchfield Haven, Mrs Jo Heath presented a report that shows that in the last year, the council made £6.4m from car parking charges, admission and membership fees and catering.
HCC informed that most of the profit comes from catering since residents spent a total of £2.3m in the parks’ cafes, barns or food stalls.
Profit from car parking was £1.7m, while £0.8m was from admissions and £0.4m for memberships.