Finance and accommodation
What resources does the National Park Authority have?
1 April 2005 – 1 April 2006 (a transitional year)
22 Authority members with a wide range of experience, advised by a small, but dedicated and expert, team
Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is committed to provide the funding needed to establish the Authority
From 1 April 2006
Defra is currently reviewing the allocation for the New Forest National Park Authority but it is expected to be at least £3.5 million a year
In addition, the Authority will be seeking funding from other sources for particular activities.
Will the National Park Authority administer grants?
Yes. Details of grants available can be found on the Authority’s website.
Where are the National Park Authority offices?
The Authority’s interim headquarters is at South Efford House near Lymington. A small office has been retained at Lyndhurst.
The Authority, together with Defra, is actively searching for a suitable permanent headquarters, which it is hoped will be within the National Park boundary. If this does not prove possible, the search will be widened to include the surrounding area.
Why did the interim office cost so much?
The cost of the interim office reflects the price of property in the south and south-east of England. It proved extremely difficult to find a medium-sized office building in the New Forest area in a short timescale. The lease on South Efford House costs around £135,500 a year. There was a one-off cost of £260,000 for a temporary extension, some of which will be recouped through re-sale. There was also a substantial cost in getting the vacant office building ready for occupation.
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