Project Area

The Leader project area is based on the "Loddon and Eversley Heritage Area" (LEHA) - an area of countryside, villages and towns in
north east Hampshire, from Basingstoke in the west to Farnborough in the east.   The rural area between these major towns forms an
important "green wedge" which is tied together by the river valleys and the strong landscape character. The project area is contained
within north east Hampshire, extending to the border with Berkshire in the north, the North Wessex Downs to the west and onto the
North Downs in the south.   The area has a scattered population of just over 98,000 people.

The LEHA boundary is itself based on a combination of two geographic areas - the catchment of the River Loddon and the historic former
royal hunting forest, the Forest of Eversley - hence the name Loddon and Eversley.   There is an existing LEHA project which will form the
core of the Leader programme; it will have a stronger identity if based on the current LEHA project area.

The Leader project area includes the small rural towns of Tadley, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Odiham and Yateley.   These market towns
are important for the success of the Leader project as they contain the main populations of consumers as well as retail outlets, giving the
project access to markets for local produce.  

Map showing Loddon and Eversley Leader project area with parish and district council boundaries

Map showing Loddon and Eversley Leader project area with landscape and nature conservation features