Further information
Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve is internationally important for its habitats that support a wide variety of wildlife throughout the year, including many important bird species. The nature reserve has recorded 200 different types of birdlife along with over 300 types of plant, of which six are noted as nationally scarce and has key environmental designations including being a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Over 100,000 people visit Titchfield Haven each year. Admission to the visitor centre (Haven House), including a café, reception/retail area and toilets, is free and receives most of the visits (85,000). Visitors wishing to enter the reserve (15,000) pay an admission charge or annual membership fee; currently 700 active members.
The visitor centre, café and shop are enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area. There is strong local support for and engagement with Titchfield Haven, including volunteering; currently over 80 active volunteers in both the reserve and visitor centre who collectively contribute nearly 8,000 hours each year.
Haven House – the building containing the café and shop - requires significant investment to maintain it for the future and bring it up to acceptable modern standards alongside ongoing maintenance. The nature reserve also requires considerable investment - two of the most popular bird hides on the site have been closed recently due to their declining state.
Financial Information
A detailed analysis of the site’s financial position shows over the next 3 years, the site would cost the County Council an additional £1.8m if no changes are made – this includes increased running costs, the projected investment required for the ageing buildings, and for investment in the nature reserve itself. It is important to note that the sale of the residential cottage alone would not be enough to cover these costs.
Environmental and coastal changes are likely to add to this pressure. Therefore, to be financially and environmentally sustainable in the long term, the current approach is no longer viable. Furthermore, there are limited opportunities for growth allowing for the environmental sensitivity of the site.
Combined, these financial pressures are starting to impact on our ability to manage the site to the standards required for a National Nature Reserve.
The financial data for the Nature Reserve (including the Café, Visitor Centre and the Shop) for the financial years from 2018/19 to the budget for 2022/23 is set out in the table below:
Table 1
Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve Summary (including Café)
Income and Expenditure Account
Included within the above figures are the following direct costs associated with the café:
Table 2
Titchfield Haven Café
Income and Expenditure Account:
Costs & Income associated with the operation of the café, included within table 1 above
As previously mentioned above, it is anticipated that the site would cost the County Council an additional £1.8m in total over three years if no changes are made. This is broken down as follows:
We want to ensure Titchfield Haven remains a thriving part of the local community under the County Council’s management, to deliver an enhanced visitor experience of the site’s wildlife and habitats and continue to support its volunteer network.
The aim of the new operating model is to generate the significant investment required for the nature reserve, to manage the site in a more financially and environmentally sustainable way, in line with our legal responsibilities, and to ensure the best use of public assets and resources.
Options considered
Do Nothing/As Is
No change to current operations, management or visitor offer.
No change for visitors and staff
Increasing net running cost
Building maintenance costs
Impact on managing nature reserve.
Develop the Offer
Investment in current visitor centre or a new visitor centre.
Change focus
Prioritise the nature reserve and manage without a café or shop.
Transfer
Transfer to another organisation.
Revenue costs reduced/removed.