New Forest: Foxlease listed as Asset of Community Value

The 65-acre Foxlease complex at Clay Hill, Lyndhurst, has been declared an Asset of Community Value (ACV) in a move that could help its supporters buy the facility.

Cost-cutting plans to dispose of Foxlease and four other activity centres across the UK were unveiled earlier this year.

The sites are owned by Girlguiding UK, which says it would cost more than £20m to bring them up to standard.

About 500 Rainbows attend a Princesses Party at Foxlease at Clay Hill, Lyndhurst (Image: Foxlease)

As reported in the Daily Echo, a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) called Foxie's Future has been set up with the aim of acquiring Foxlease.

Now New Forest District Council has approved a request by Friends of Foxlease to list the site as an ACV.

READ MORE: New developments in campaign to save Foxlease activities centre at Lyndhurst

Cllr Dan Poole, portfolio holder for planning, regeneration, and infrastructure, praised the efforts being made to ensure that young people from across the country can continue to use the "unique" venue.

Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for partnering and wellbeing, described the Georgian mansion as a great asset to the New Forest.

Girls enjoy one of the many activities at Foxlease, which is due to be sold by Girlguiding UK (Image: Newsquest)

The decision to list Foxlease as an ACV has been welcomed by Foxie's Future.

A spokesperson said: "This is an incredibly positive step forward in the fight to save Foxlease and confirms that the council recognises the significant community value and future potential for the community that Foxlease has as a site.

READ MORE: Campaigners step up fight to save Foxlease

"An ACV imposes restrictions on the sale of the site to a commercial developer or third party, whilst the site is listed, and is intended to assist community groups like Foxie's Future with entering a bid.

"It doesn't give us first refusal to purchase but it does potentially make things more complicated for a non-community group third party."

The then Countess of Wessex meets Lydia Clark, 8, and Chloe Drodge, 6, during a visit to Foxlease in 2005 (Image: Foxlease)

Sir Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, also welcomed the council's decision.

He said: "This is a positive and welcome step forward, though hopefully the national Girlguiding movement should prefer to sell to a community interests group anyway, given the basis on which Foxlease was donated to them in the first place."

In 1912 Foxlease was bought by Anne Saunderson, the daughter of an American oil baron.

Shortly after the First World War, Mrs. Saunderson heard Lady Baden-Powell talk about the newly-formed Girl Guide Association and allowed Guides to camp in the grounds.

The house was given to the Guide movement in 1922.