3 weeks Ago By Noni Needs
Politics Plans to transform much-loved Titchfield Haven Visitor Centre into a new nursery and café are approved By Noni Needs Local Democracy Reporter Comment Published 16th Apr 2025, 09:41 BST Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Plans to create a new day nursery, accommodation and a café at the former much-loved Titchfield Haven Visitor Centre have been given the green light. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more.
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The former Centre was closed in 2022 by Hampshire County Council despite opposition from the local community due to financial challenges and sold. Applicant Freya Derrick, owner of Hopscotch Nurseries bought the building in Hill Head Harbour, Cliff Road, Titchfield to open as a day nursery for babies to pre-school age children. The council officer told members that the building has a lawful development certificate, and can already be opened as a 75-place day nursery.
Proposed larger site for former Titchfield Haven Visitor Centre | via FBC planning portal Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Read More Next step taken to convert Titchfield Haven visitor centre's into a new day nursery Titchfield Haven building has been sold and will be turned into a nursey Titchfield Haven Visitor Centre will be sold after bid to breathe new life into it is rejected by Hampshire County Council Anger as plans to save Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve and Haven House are not supported by council officials Titchfield Haven: MPs call for secure future for the 'much-loved' nature reserve She said the planning committee was being asked to look at plans to make the building bigger. To give planning permission for the extensions to make the day nursery and workers’ accommodation larger and keep the café. She said the panel should consider design cohesion and overall design of the building at the nature reserve location.
Plans included a new curved, single-storey extension to the L-shape ground floor to form a new reception area and office room for the day nursery with stairs to a first floor balcony. A ground floor extension to the front of the building to be used as a classroom. The café area with toilets will remain separate to the day nursery to allow visitors to the area.
While the two bedroom flat will be made into three-bedroom accommodation with a large balcony. Hill Head ward Councillor Steve Dugan (Con) said he was impressed with provision for the early years education so that young children could appreciate nature. While Councillor Ian Bastable (Con, Park Gate) said are we just approving a penthouse suite on top of a school? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor David Foot (Con, Sarisbury and Whiteley) said the new plans looked nicer than the existing building.
Click here to find out about The News’ emails and get our headlines delivered to your inbox The Titchfield Haven Visitor Centre site | via FBC planning portal The application was brought in front of the planning committee for a decision because both objections and support had been submitted during the public consultation. There had been 11 letters from eight households raising concerns with three letters of support. Objections raised included parking, highway safety, pedestrian safety to lack of cycle parking, lack of uplift to the first floor.
Parking issues were not part of what the committee could decide because parking was already approved as part of the lawful development permission. Comments in support from the committee’s report said: “Wonderful to have a community café at the site.” The planning committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.
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