With the design of The Lookout by HCC Property Services in progress,

HCC Countryside Service asked the People and Place-making team to

work with site users, staff and other stakeholders to look at the wider

‘offer‘ at Lepe Country Park.

Local stakeholders and the Countryside Service worked together in

workshops facilitated by the People and Place-making team to look at the

‘bigger picture’ of the Country Park, building a shared understanding of the

challenges and opportunities at Lepe, and a shared vision and ‘sense of

place’.

Stakeholders were able to articulate their ambitions for the visitor

experience at Lepe from the arrival, parking and signage to play and

outdoor learning activities, helping to ensure that Hampshire County

Council’s investment in transforming its Country Parks was appropriately

targeted.

Hampshire County Council recognises the value of early engagement

around people and place-making. Working through a well-defined site

planning process at Lepe brought people together to build local interest

and ownership for the longer term.

Key benefits:

• A clearer brief for the whole visitor experience at Lepe Country Park.

• Early stakeholder engagement has inspired an active and on-going programme of volunteer participation at Lepe

• Developing a shared understanding of the unique qualities of the historic features of the site, such as the D-Day Landings structures

• Good working relationships have been established between landowners, stakeholders and site managers which have continued for the long-term

Location: Lepe Country Park, Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire

Client: Hampshire County Council (HCC) Countryside Service

Project Team: HCC People and Place-making team

Offer: Facilitated stakeholder workshops

Cost: On application

People and Place-making—Lepe Country Park

‘There are opportunities to take advantage of the views out from the Park and to reflect the unique stories and coastal location of Lepe’ HCC Countryside Service

’By improving visibility from the road, we can clarify the park offer at point of arrival, adding to the visitor sense of welcome and demonstrating a quality offer’ Workshop participant

‘A family-friendly play trail, following natural play principles and reflecting the unique and special qualities of this quieter part of Lepe Country Park, would provide a connection between the reserve and the rest of the park’ Site user

Contact: Jo Wheeler-Bennett 0370 779 2312 joanna.wheeler-bennett@hants.gov.uk www.hants.gov.uk/place-making

http://www.hants.gov.uk/place-makinghttps://www.hants.gov.uk/business/propertyservices/news/28082019-postive-placemaking

People and Place-making—Lepe Country Park