Press Release

22 May 2025

Restoration plans for Holly Hill Woodland Park

Fareham Borough Council has announced that chartered landscape architect, Arkwood, has been appointed to lead on their plans for redeveloping Holly Hill Woodland Park.

The Holly Hill Rediscovered project aims to improve the functionality, sustainability and aesthetic appearance of the lakes and ponds within Holly Hill Woodland Park. Earlier this year, the Council announced it had received initial funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to progress their plans to apply for a full Heritage Fund grant at a later date. The 35-hectare site is made up of Victorian landscaped garden and parkland, set around a series of interconnecting ponds, lakes and water features made of Pulhamite stone, which need repair.

Arkwood, which was appointed following a successful procurement exercise, has considerable experience in working on projects of this nature.  

Initial public and stakeholder engagement took place last summer to inform and support the Council’s Heritage Fund initial application. Arkwood will now lead the next step which is to bring as many views as possible into the design of the project through a series of in-person and online workshops, events and surveys.

Executive Member of Streetscene at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Ian Bastable, said:

“I am delighted that Arkwood has been appointed as landscape architects for this important project. Arkwood has a proven track record in projects of this scale. I look forward to the final outcome, which will help Holly Hill remain an award-winning open space for generations to come.”

Arkwood’s Project Director, Jon Sheaff, added:

“I am thrilled that Arkwood has been appointed to the Holly Hill Rediscovered Project. Having completed many successful National Lottery-funded projects, we are confident that we can take this project from planning to completion, working alongside local people, the volunteers who love the site so much, key stakeholders and, of course, the Council which has invested so heavily in the site’s restoration. We look forward to getting started.”
 

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

“Grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. ‘Holly Hill Rediscovered’ has initially been granted round one development funding of £111,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by the Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award.

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.”

heritagefund.org.uk 
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund 

Delivering these improvements is a key project in Fareham Borough Council’s Corporate Strategy: Leisure opportunities for wellbeing and fun.
 

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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