From bin collection improvements, to playparks and leisure centre extensions, East Hampshire District Council is celebrating a string of successes in Whitehill & Bordon over the last three years.
Much of the regeneration project and new ‘town centre’ development on MOD land is overseen by the Defense Infrastructure Organisation and their developer Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company.
However, through EHDC, significant funding has supported community facilities, infrastructure and the creation of new public spaces, helping to shape the town in a positive way for the residents we serve.
Projects over the years have focused on community spaces that EHDC owns, such as Whitehill Village Hall and the Forest Community Centre, improvements to the leisure centre, upgrading play facilities and bringing the iconic former fire station into community use.
This has been brought about through a range of funding streams including developer contributions – funding collected through housing built in the area – and through the council’s own Supporting Communities Fund, which dedicated a third of the district-wide £1million fund to the Whitehill & Bordon area alone.
Cllr Andy Tree is EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for the Whitehill & Bordon area, including Lindford and Greatham. He has been working closely with EHDC Leader Cllr Richard Millard to deliver for the town.
He said: “Having been elected to EHDC for the first time in May 2023 and becoming the cabinet lead for Whitehill & Bordon, I’m immensely proud of the progress we’ve made. Over the past few years we’ve seen major regeneration projects come to life, new community facilities delivered and important investment directed straight into the heart of our town.
“From transforming much‑loved local buildings like the former fire station for community use to expanding leisure facilities and improving our parks and play spaces, these achievements reflect EHDC’s long‑term commitment to supporting residents as best we can in the areas we directly control.”
Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC Leader, said: “Our partners, community organisations and council teams have all played a crucial role in driving this momentum, and the results speak for themselves.
“By allocating a large portion of the Supporting Communities Fund to Whitehill & Bordon we have been able to deliver projects that strengthen local pride, boost the economy and help make Whitehill & Bordon a truly great place to live.”
Wins in Whitehill & Bordon
EHDC has helped bring a host of improvements and community projects to Whitehill & Bordon. Here are some of the highlights.
Cllr Community Grants
Every East Hampshire District Councillor is allocated £7,000 to spend on fantastic projects in their patch. There are six councillors covering the Whitehill & Bordon, Lindford and Greatham area which means a massive £42,000 available for community groups every year.
In the last year grants have been given in support of a huge range of projects including D-Day commemorations, supporting neurodivergent teenagers, first aid training, refurbishing playgrounds, lifesaving defibrillators and new kit for Weyford infants, to list a few.
Whitehill & Bordon Leisure Centre
An exciting new aquatic adventure zone is coming to Whitehill & Bordon Leisure Centre. The new extension will include a splash pad, water slides and interactive water features. The council has agreed to dedicate £4 million from money gathered from developers that have built houses in the area.
Supporting Community Fund
One third of the council’s £1million Supporting Community Fund was dedicated to Whitehill & Bordon. In 2024, the last year of the fund, more than £192,000 was granted for a range of fantastic community projects.
The fund helped deliver school sports pitches, community workers, activities for teenagers, a playground for youngsters and wellbeing workshops for people with autism.
Whitehill Village Hall’s environmental upgrades
State-of-the art energy-saving measures made Whitehill Village Hall almost completely energy independent.
The roof was replaced, solar panels were installed and the boiler was replaced with a new energy efficient model. The works were funded by developer contributions, Whitehill Town Council and EHDC’s Climate Community Action Fund.
We support the continued success of Whitehil Village Hall, providing a much-valued facility in the Whitehill end of Whitehill & Bordon.
Forest Community Centre
In 2023 Cllr Tree approved a grant of £178,000 of developer contributions to refurbish and improve the Forest Community Centre and support residents in this part of Bordon.
Northern Gateway
Last year EHDC leased the iconic former fire station to Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust.
The agreement brought the much-loved building back into community use, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in its history. Tenants include Mercer’s Gym Community Interest Company, supporting our young people and The Woolmer Forest Heritage Society, preserving our history.
Mill Chase Recreation Ground
Thirty-two solar panels have been installed on the roof of Mill Chase Sports Pavillion reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency and saving money for Whitehill Town Council and users of the pavilion.
The council also allocated more than £50,000 to renovate pitches after flooding. Drainage works have been carried out to help keep the pitch playable during the wet winter months.
Hollybrook play park
Hollybrook play park has been completely revamped thanks to £164,000 of developer contributions approved by Cllr Tree. We asked local residents to let us know what equipment they’d like to see included. They asked for swings, an outdoor gym, a basketball hoop and surfacing which allows the park to be used all-year round – and the new playpark design includes all those fabulous features.
Football supporters
We have been supporting football clubs around the area. Using developer contributions we have funded improvements to Headley Pavilion and more than £62,000 to Whitehill Bordon Football Club for new dug-outs, spectator walkways, containers and new hardstanding.
Bin collection improvements
Over the last couple of years huge strides have been made by EHDC’s waste collection team in improving the service over the past two years.
In November we reported figures showing our bin collections have improved in all aspects and are now running at, or even above, industry benchmarks.
Lindford playpark
Lindford Playpark was awarded almost £130,000 of developer contributions for the refurbishment and improvement of the equipment at the Chase Farm playground.
Once the work is complete the park will feature fantastic new facilities including a sensory board, swings, slides and play castle.
Sainsbury’s foodstore
Work is well underway on a new Sainsbury’s foodstore in Whitehill & Bordon that will become an integral part of the new town centre. While not directly under EHDC’s control the council works with partners across the area to deliver these vital new facilities for residents.