Fareham Borough Council has received funding for a major restoration project at Holly Hill Woodland Park.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has given initial support for the 'Holly Hill Rediscovered' project, aimed at improving the lakes and ponds within the park.

Development funding of £111,000 has been awarded to help the council apply for further National Lottery grants to cover the full project costs.

The council is also contributing £60,000 in match funding for this stage of the project, having last year set aside £1.056 million to support the full £2.046 million restoration project.

Councillor Ian Bastable said: "We are thrilled to have received this initial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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National Lottery Heritage Fund backs Holly Hill Woodland Park project (Image: Canva)

"Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to restore, repair and manage Holly Hill Woodland Park and create future activities and events for all the community to enjoy."

The 35-hectare site, owned and maintained by Fareham Borough Council, is a local nature reserve that sits within a shallow valley leading down to the River Hamble.

The Victorian landscaped garden and parkland is set around a series of interconnecting ponds, lakes and water features made of Pulhamite stone, which are in need of repair.

The project will focus on several key areas, including the restoration of the lake system with desilting, future silt management and creation of settlement ponds and the reinstatement of the Sunken Garden.

Other tasks will include the repair of lakes edges and the Pulhamite structures, upgrading the network of paths in the landscape and developing plans for biodiversity monitoring and enhancement of the site's ecology, habitat variety, and resilience.

Additionally, an activity plan will be developed, considering the full heritage of the parkland, well-being, learning, volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities.

The project will also focus on creating an inclusive visitor offer, considering access for disabled people and the needs of new Fareham communities, and developing interpretation appropriate for a range of audiences, exploring the full heritage of the parkland.

A tender process is now underway to appoint the landscape architect and project consultancy team.

Public consultations will be conducted as the project develops.