SAVINGS of around £400,000 a year will be made by New Forest District Council through an office share scheme with the New Forest National Park Authority at Lymington Town Hall.

Currently the National Park Authority has its headquarters at South Efford House on the former Horticultural Research International site west of Lymington. It has remained there thanks to two temporary planning approvals from the district council.

The scheme to move into the town hall in Avenue Road will mean some 75 of the 225 district council staff at Lymington having to move to the council’s headquarters at Lyndhurst and seven moving to Marsh Lane depot.

Lymington Town Council will remain at the town hall.

Removal of portable buildings will free up 40 car parking places.

The scheme was given the nod by cabinet members and will now go to the full council.