Town Council gains support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for plans to protect the future of Lymington Sea Water Baths

/

Lymington and Pennington Town Council has been awarded a grant of £154,800 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Lymington Sea Water Baths restoration project. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to explore how one of the UK’s oldest surviving open-air sea water bathing sites can be protected, better understood and planned for future generations.

The grade II listed Lymington Sea Water Baths first opened in 1833 and is an important part of the town’s coastal, social and leisure heritage. Unlike many later lidos built in the 1920s and 1930s, the Baths reflect an earlier period of sea water bathing and have a distinctive character and design shaped by their coastal location. The facility remains a much-loved part of Lymington’s identity, with memories of the site shared across generations.

This initial development funding will not lead to immediate restoration construction works on site. Instead, it will allow the Town Council to carry out vital early work needed to understand the Baths properly and plan responsibly for its future.

The project will include architectural design work up to concept design stage, supported by specialist structural, engineering, environmental and heritage assessments. This will help the Council understand the condition of the site, the challenges created by its marine location and open-bottom construction, and the likely costs and options for future restoration.

A heritage review will also explore the history, significance and unique features of the Baths, including their early sea water design and historic aeration fountains. Working with local partners, the Council hopes to share the story of the Baths in an accessible and engaging way, helping more people understand why the site matters historically.

Community involvement will be central to the project. Residents, users, schools, businesses, local organisations and visitors will be invited to share their views, memories and aspirations for the future of the Baths. This engagement will help ensure that any future proposals are shaped by local people and reflect the needs of the wider community.

The project will also include a business options appraisal, looking at how the Baths could be operated and maintained sustainably in the long term. This will help the Council make informed decisions before any future capital works are considered.

The Baths will remain open while this development work takes place, so visitors can continue to enjoy swimming, inflatables, paddleboarding and more.

The Mayor from Lymington and Pennington Town Council said:

“We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to better understand, protect and celebrate the Lymington Sea Water Baths.

“This is an important step, but it is also a careful one. Before any decisions are made about future restoration, we need to understand the heritage, engineering, environmental and financial issues in detail. This funding allows us to do that work properly and to involve the community in shaping the next chapter of this remarkable site.”

The Council will share further information about consultation opportunities and project updates in the coming months. Residents are encouraged to get involved, share their memories and help shape the future of this important grade II listed historical site.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Their 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 they are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in their strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. They 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, they aim to invest £3.6 billion 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

NF1147 - Rookes Lane, Lymington - Retaining Wall Replacement

/

As part of Hampshire County Council’s annual Planned Maintenance programme, this letter is to inform you that we will be undertaking the replacement of the retaining wall in Rookes Lane, Lymington, from outside No.35 to the junction with Newenham Road.

 

The works are programmed to start on 2nd February 2026 and are expected to take up to 2 weeks to complete. Due to the nature of the work and for safety reasons, the road will be closed 24/7 to through traffic, with works being undertaken between 07:30 – 18:00hrs.

 

Whilst there is an allowance within the time periods shown above for delays, there may be times when we have to postpone works at very short notice; based on the latest weather forecasts, this can occur just prior to works commencing. We will always look to provide up to date information wherever we can, but sometimes these last-minute decisions can be difficult to relay to the travelling public in a timely manner. When we can, any significant changes to the scheduled dates will be made clear on the yellow sign boards located at the works limits.

 

In order to help us to complete the work as quickly as possible, please ensure that no vehicles are parked near the area of works during working hours.

Please be aware any vehicles left parked on the road that prevent the works taking place, face the risk of being removed.

 

For your safety and that of our workforce, we are unable to guarantee vehicular

access to and from your property during the closure. Should you need to make an essential journey, please contact a member of the workforce in advance and they will be able to advise if they can accommodate your request. Pedestrian access will be available at all times. For further details of how these works may affect your access please visit our website – www.hants.gov.uk/roadworks.

 

Thank you for your co-operation and if you need more information regarding these works Visit One.Network – https://one.network/?GB147834020 which is where our planned works are published and is an independent platform that allows real-time monitoring of all the UK’s roadworks and diversions.

 

If you ever need to report a problem with the roads, you can do so by visiting www.hants.gov.uk/roadproblems and then clicking on ‘Find out more’ on the ‘Roadworks or road closure issues’ square.

Citizen of Year Award

/

Applications Open for Lymington and Pennington Town Council’s Citizen of the Year Award

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award. This prestigious accolade recognises outstanding individuals within our community who have made a significant contribution to the well-being of Lymington and Pennington.

The Citizen of the Year Award honours residents who have demonstrated exceptional commitment through voluntary work, leadership, or acts of kindness that have positively impacted the lives of others. Whether through long-term dedication to community service or a single outstanding act of goodwill, this award aims to celebrate the unsung heroes whose actions help make our town a better place to live.

Eligibility and Criteria:

·        Nominees must work, study or contribute to the town of Lymington and Pennington.

·        The nominee’s contribution must have had a positive impact on the local community.

·        The achievement can be in any field, including community service, education, sports, charity work, or arts and culture.

How to Nominate:

Nominations are open to all members of the public and should be submitted by completing the official nomination form, available on the Lymington and Pennington Town Council website. Nominations should include details of the nominee’s achievements and why they deserve to be recognised.

The deadline for submissions is 14th November 2025. A sub-committee of the Town Council will review all entries, and the winner will be announced at the December 2025 Town Council meeting.

For more information about the award and the application form please email info@lymingtonandpennington-tc.gov.uk

Join us in celebrating the individuals who make a difference in our community by submitting your nomination for Lymington and Pennington’s Citizen of the Year Award.

About Lymington and Pennington Town Council:

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is committed to serving the local community, enhancing public services, and ensuring the well-being of all residents. Through various initiatives, the Council fosters community spirit and encourages participation in local governance.

Withy Woods Site Development

/

Lymington & Pennington Town Council are pleased to be working partnership New Forest District Council to carry out landscaping and environmental improvement works at Withy Woods.

These works will be commencing on 8th October 2025 with tree felling works initially taking place with pond maintenance following. These works will support ongoing woodland management whilst re-introducing a variety of native fish allowing the pond to be used for recreational fishing in the future. 

If you have any questions regarding these site improvements, please contact us.

Grant Aid Applications Open - Supporting Our Local Community

/

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is proud to open this year’s round of Grant Aid applications. Every year, these grants help local organisations continue their fantastic work, from running clubs and events to providing essential services that bring real benefits to residents of all ages.

We know how much of our community’s strength comes from dedicated volunteers and groups who give their time, energy, and creativity. That is why the Town Council remains committed to supporting these efforts through its grant programme. Whether your organisation provides opportunities for young people, promotes health and wellbeing, supports vulnerable residents, or enhances local culture and environment, we want to hear from you.

Key details for applicants:

  • Deadline: Applications must be received by 31 October 2025.

  • Updated Policy: The Grants Policy was amended earlier this year. It is important that all organisations read the new criteria before applying to confirm eligibility and prepare the necessary documents. You can access the policy here: Grant Policy 2025–2027.

  • Review Process: All applications will be assessed by the Grants Panel, who will then make recommendations to the full Council.

  • Payment of Grants: Awards will form part of the Council’s 2026–2027 budget and will be paid to successful organisations in April 2026.

We encourage all eligible organisations to apply. Together, we can ensure that the wonderful projects, services, and opportunities that enrich Lymington and Pennington continue to grow and flourish.

Grant Policy
Application Form

Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) 2025

/

BDO have now completed their audit of the AGAR for 2024/25.  

 

Lymington and Pennington Town Council are now publishing:

 

The Notice of Conclusion of Audit

 

Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the AGAR –

Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 (Section 1)

 Accounting Statements 2024/25 (Section 2)  

External Audit Report 2024/25 (Section 3)   

Pennington Common - Clean up operation

/

Bailiffs successfully evicted the unauthorised encampment on Pennington Common earlier today Thursday 24th July, with the final vehicle leaving the site at 11:15am. Our Parks and Open Spaces team is now on site carrying out a detailed assessment, identifying any hazardous waste or dangerous items to ensure the area is made safe before a full clean-up can begin.

Initial inspections suggest that the clean-up may take several days and could extend into the middle of next week, due to the volume and manner in which waste has been left behind.

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is fully committed to restoring Pennington Common to its natural beauty as quickly as possible. We are passionate about protecting and caring for our public spaces, and we understand how important this area is to our residents, dog walkers, families, and the wider community.

We kindly ask that people avoid the site while our team carries out this essential work, to ensure both public safety and the efficiency of the clean-up operation. We would like to thank the public for their understanding whilst we complete the work.

Pedestrian Improvement Works on Avenue Road, Lymington

/

Hampshire County Council has appointed Rocon Construction Ltd to undertake pedestrian improvement works on Avenue Road in Lymington. Works will be constructed in the vicinity of Lymington Junior School.

Works will take place on Monday 4 August for a duration of approximately three weeks, with permitted working hours between 7:30am and 4:30pm. For the safety of the public and workers, works will be carried out under temporary two-way traffic lights.

Improvement works will include:
- installation of new zebra crossing
- landscaping improvements in the vicinity of the new crossing point
- widening of the footway on the southern side of Avenue Road

The nature of the work may bring some disruption or inconvenience however every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.

Please note that the works are weather dependent and may need to be re-arranged at short notice in the event of adverse weather.

Advance warning signs will be in place and emergency vehicle access to properties will be maintained at all times.

Please visit Causeway one.network for up-to-date information on diversion routes, traffic management, and the exact location of the works: https://one.network/?GB143365929.

For further information about the scheme please visit the scheme webpage at: Hampshire County Council; Avenue Road, Lymington - Pedestrian Improvements | Transport and roads | Hampshire County Council.