Councillors recommend granting lease of planned youth and family hub to New Milton Youth Trust that is a quarter of the term requested

A CHARITY’S bid for a 150-year lease of New Milton’s planned youth and family hub from the town council was called “a bit over the top”.

Councillors discussed the application from New Milton Youth Trust regarding the site of the proposed development off Gore Road at a recent finance and general purposes (F&GP) committee meeting.

As reported in the A&T, the town council bought the plot of land for £100,000 and secured outline planning permission.

It now hopes to submit a bid to New Forest District Council in May for community infrastructure levy (CIL) funding towards construction.

The building is intended to be New Milton’s major youth and family hub following the sell-off by Hampshire County Council of the Phoenix Centre on Culver Road in 2017 after 30 years of use.

Town clerk Graham Flexman told the F&GP meeting negotiations with the youth trust over the site’s lease were ongoing.

Both the council’s solicitor and internal auditor had advised the requested 150 years was too long, recommending 35 years in the first instance.

Arguing the long lease request was to help the trust secure bigger grants and funding, Cllr Steve Clarke stressed the land would still revert back to the council if anything went substantially wrong.

But, referring to dealings with Heritage Lottery, Cllr Wyn Davies said he had never seen any requirement for such a long lease to qualify.

Cllr Geoffrey Blunden said: “I understand where they’re coming from, but that 100 years is a bit over the top.

“A 35 to 50-year lease would be enough for security.”

F&GP chairman Cllr Neil Tungate felt that granting a 150-year lease could set a precedent and pointed out it is longer than that for people buying a leasehold property.

The committee passed a recommendation for full council to offer a 35-year lease of the land.

Launched in February 2024, New Milton Youth Trust runs drop-in sessions at the Empire Skate café building on the recreation ground, off Whitefield Road, from 5pm to 9pm on Wednesdays and 6pm to 9pm on Fridays.

It also carries out detached outreach support for those unable to access the building sessions, between 6pm and 9pm on Tuesdays. This can involve collaboration with the police and young offender groups.

In December, the town council awarded it a £13,000 grant – its third in a year – having been impressed by its achievements, including helping isolated teens.