Hillier’s Haven comes to Abbotts Barton
A new green recreational space will soon open for local residents in Abbotts Barton, thanks to an investment by Winchester City Council to the tune of £100,000.
The Council’s Landscape and Open Spaces team are excited to announce that the new area will be called Hillier’s Haven – as suggested by local resident and Winchester Cub Scout Tom Duxbury after he won a competition to come up with a good name for the area.
The previously inaccessible site, which is adjacent to Hillier Way car park, will be developed into a natural recreational area for the enjoyment of local residents. It is an integral part of the housing development project in Hillier Way and will also be home to the new 6th Winchester Scout Hut.
Nine-year-old Tom Duxbury, who received some Wonky Woodpecker prizes for his contribution, said:
I live nearby and walk past the space for school and rugby so I’m really excited about Hillier’s Haven opening. I came up with the name because it is near Hillier Way and chose haven as it’s somewhere to come to be peaceful and quiet.
The new space has been designed by Winchester City Council’s Principal Landscape Architect Clare Penny, who said:
Thank-you to everyone who voted and especially Tom for submitting the favourite – Hillier’s Haven. We are moving forward with the project and are delighted to be able to provide these new facilities for the community.
Hillier’s Haven will feature paths through the woodland, a meadow area with stone fire pits, bird and bat boxes, a sculpture trail, and interpretation boards showing a map of the area and details of the animals and plants you might come across. Work is due to begin right away, with completion by the end of this year.
Project progress can be found on our website at:
winchester.gov.uk/planning/open-spaces/abbotts-barton-open-space/
The new site name will feature on the interpretation boards and at site entrance points.