The New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA or 'the Authority'), in partnership with Hampshire County Council (HCC), together known as 'the partners' is seeking a consultant / consultancy to prepare an Active Travel feasibility Study for new crossings on the A35 in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire.
The purpose of the feasibility study is to identify options to improve road safety and reduce severance of active travel routes caused by traffic movements on the A35 road through the New Forest. The study will need to look at the provision of new walking and cycling (and where appropriate equestrian) crossing facilities at three sites on the A35 west of the village of Lyndhurst, within the County of Hampshire. The study will also need to consider a fourth site where conditions for cyclists need to be improved and road danger reduced, the section of road is called Old Railway (C10), known locally as the 'Holmsley Straight Mile' between the Old Station Tea Rooms and Brockenhurst Road. The roads and site locations referenced here are identified in maps further within this document.
Hampshire County Council is the Highway Authority for all the roads identified above. The recommended design options will need to be in accordance with their policies and guidance documents and engagement with their officers will be essential.
The study will need to identify appropriate interventions, consider all relevant constraints and risks, then recommend preferred options with concept designs and realistic costings. The final study should be completed by 30th March 2025, unless the partners agree to an extension. Regular updates including a written monthly progress report will be provided to the partners throughout the study period.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within Unit 71 which supports lowland heathland.
SSSI Unit 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades
Work objective:
To restore lowland heathland Priority Habitat within Unit 71 of the North Solent SSSI and NNR on Cadland Estate. Achieved through removal of European gorse and scrub in specific locations and litter removal to manage the regrowth of European gorse. The work is targeted towards improving the conservation status of smooth snakes and adders on the site, although many other species associated with lowland heathland will also benefit.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within Unit 71 which supports lowland heathland.
SSSI Unit 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades
Work objective:
To restore lowland heathland Priority Habitat within Unit 71 of the North Solent SSSI and NNR on Cadland Estate. Achieved through removal of European gorse and scrub in specific locations and litter removal to manage the regrowth of European gorse. The work is targeted towards improving the conservation status of smooth snakes and adders on the site, although many other species associated with lowland heathland will also benefit.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within Unit 71 which supports lowland heathland.
SSSI Unit 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades
Work objective:
To restore lowland heathland Priority Habitat within Unit 71 of the North Solent SSSI and NNR on Cadland Estate. Achieved through removal of European gorse and scrub in specific locations and litter removal to manage the regrowth of European gorse. The work is targeted towards improving the conservation status of smooth snakes and adders on the site, although many other species associated with lowland heathland will also benefit.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within part of SSSI Unit 50 and parts of Units 71 and 49 which supports fen, marsh and swamp habitats along with wet woodland.
SSSI Units 50 and 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within part of SSSI Unit 50 and parts of Units 71 and 49 which supports fen, marsh and swamp habitats along with wet woodland.
SSSI Units 50 and 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within part of SSSI Unit 50 and parts of Units 71 and 49 which supports fen, marsh and swamp habitats along with wet woodland.
SSSI Units 50 and 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within part of SSSI Unit 50 and parts of Units 71 and 49 which supports fen, marsh and swamp habitats along with wet woodland.
SSSI Units 50 and 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within part of SSSI Unit 50 and parts of Units 71 and 49 which supports fen, marsh and swamp habitats along with wet woodland.
SSSI Units 50 and 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades.
Background to the project:
Funding has been allocated for habitat restoration work at Stanswood Valley which is owned by the Cadland Estate. The site is part of the North Solent SSSI and North Solent National Nature Reserve. The area this contract covers is included within part of SSSI Unit 50 and parts of Units 71 and 49 which supports fen, marsh and swamp habitats along with wet woodland.
SSSI Units 50 and 71 have recently in 2023 been downgraded from 'favourable' SSSI' status to 'unfavourable no change' status due to scrub and tree encroachment which has developed over parts of the site over recent decades.
The New Forest National Park Authority is seeking an experienced evaluation consultant to assess the value and effectiveness of our approach to delivering the Species Survival Fund (SSF) project in the New Forest National Park during 2025.
The New Forest Species Survival Fund project is a £1.3 million partnership project to deliver at least 250 hectares of nature enhancements across multiple sites that demonstrate increased abundance of key species and enhanced connectivity with the New Forest SSSI. The project started in April 2024 and is due to complete in February 2026.
We are delivering the project in partnership with:
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust
Freshwater Habitats Trust
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
New Forest Commoners Defence Association
Wild New Forest.
The New Forest Species Survival Fund project is led by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) which is responsible for conserving and enhancing the New Forest National Park and promoting understanding and enjoyment of the things that make it special. As well as planning, nature conservation and public engagement responsibilities, the services of the NPA include education, recreation, and archaeology.
The project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.