Hengistbury Head
The education centre, which is located in Christchurch Harbour, transferred into community ownership via a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) from BCP Council on 24 February 2025.
The facility, which was primarily used for water sports, has been closed since March 2020 after a survey found the main building to be unsafe for public use. It was brought back into direct ownership by the council in 2021 from former operator Brockenhurst College.
Since then, work has been ongoing to explore a sustainable, permanent solution to reopen the centre and bring it back to life for the benefit of local schools, community groups and families.
Hengistbury Head Outdoors were set up as a charitable community benefit society in 2023, with the aim to take over the former council-run site through the CAT process and to redevelop it into a modern and more accessible facility by January 2026.
Now, with the signing of the lease, the new owners of the centre are set to benefit from a government grant of almost £670,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (DCLG) towards its immediate refurbishment and repair.
This grant is subject to certain conditions being met and £155,000 being raised in matching funds by the society. HHO is actively seeking donations from the community, local business and grant providers to raise these funds.
Cllr Mike Cox, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance said: “This is a wonderful outcome for Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre. As a responsible council, it’s vital that we ensure that assets held by us are transferred into the ownership of suitable organisations which will provide a future community benefit whilst ensuring public ownership is retained.
“Everyone involved in this project – from HHO and BCP Council alike – have worked so hard to make this transfer happen, and it’s an example of true community working that we look to see more of in the future.”
“Our teams will continue to support the charity where required, assisting them in making this project the success it deserves to be.”
Bill Howlett, Founding Director and Treasurer of HHO said: “We have to give enormous thanks to the BCP Council officers and councillors who have been so supportive and helpful at every stage to get this Community Asset Transfer sorted.
“It has truly been a partnership by all those involved, and a credit to the community spirit that HHO is intending to deliver. We are excited to begin the journey to reopen the centre for community use.”
The £825k funding must be spent by December 2025, and work has already begun on phased plans covering the waterfront, the grounds and key facilities required for the safe reopening of the centre. The HHO team, together with volunteers and the wider community now aim to start refurbishment works as soon as practicable.
The Outdoor Activity Centre is already being used by community groups, who will now have long term access to the centre, with plans now to widen the use of the facility to as much of the local community as possible.
