Investing in Village Life for All

Providing for the Existing Community

Our vision for Alderholt Meadows is to make day-to-day life in Alderholt as effortless as possible for everyone. We want to carefully invest to provide facilities that residents need on their doorstep, so families have the free time to do more together. 

As a starting point, our proposals seek to deliver many facilities for existing and new residents of Alderholt:

• Carbon-zero facilities by working collaboratively with St James’ school, funding improvements at the existing school to ensure a top-quality education can continue to be provided enriched with outdoor learning that makes full use of Alderholt’s unique setting. 

• A new medical centre, built in partnership with local practitioners, at an early stage so that residents can see a doctor or dentist in Alderholt and pick-up medicine at a new pharmacy.
  
  
  

• The introduction and initial funding of a Monday to Saturday hourly bus service enabling Alderholt residents to make reliable and sustainable journeys via a new  route from Alderholt to Ringwood, via Fordingbridge.

• Over 125 acres of new green space, held in a community trust, linked by over 7 miles of new walking and cycling routes providing improved access to the wider countryside.

• A further 56+ acres of land for biodiversity enhancement delivering a net-gain well in excess of 10% required by Government policy.
  
  

• Multiple community spaces perfect for things like yoga, youth clubs and community groups, providing a focal point for social and cultural life of Alderholt.

• A new village square encouraging markets and providing new local shops, cafés and a second pub, uniting the entire village.

• Flexible workspaces for those occasional meetings, to more professional environments to collaborate with other professions and to foster growth in small businesses, enabling residents to work in a way that suits their life. 

• 21st Century digital infrastructure for new and existing residents, including fibre internet; fast electric vehicle charging; and energy efficient homes.

• A significantly larger recreation ground with enhanced sports facilities including all weather pitches, a new club house and changing pavilion.

• A re-routed Ringwood Road, providing a quieter environment for residents and providing safe access to the new village centre.

• A new care home providing age-appropriate and neighbourly homes for older people and ensuring an intergenerational development.

A step-change in local education

We know good schools are a top priority for families. So, we have been liaising with St James’ First School to understand how we can help. 

Currently, children in the village who go to St James’ School mostly then go to Wimbourne from year 5 onwards given that Dorset has a three tier education system. This means that many students take a long bus journey to and from school everyday which impacts their learning and often means their friends are located far away.

We are therefore investigating the opportunity of investing in St James’ School on-site so that the school can retain its fantastic location and forest school, but so that children can continue their education until year 6 here in Alderholt. 

Children will then have the option of going to Burgate Secondary school, which would be a much shorter journey and allow friendship groups to be formed much closer to home. 

Through the provision of new carbon-zero facilities at the existing school, we are committed to ensuring St James’ can continue to provide a top-quality education, enriched with outdoor learning that makes full use of Alderholt’s unique setting.

A Vibrant Village Centre