VOCIFEROUS opponents of the New Forest National Park Authority's long term strategy for the area have got it all wrong, according to international environmentalist Chris Packham.
The television naturalist volunteered to talk on behalf of the NPA after learning of the growing opposition to the draft recreation management strategy and draft consultation documents.
Members of New Forest Dog Owners' Group and equestrian enthusiasts who feel their ways of life are going to be threatened are up in arms at some of the proposals.
Dog owners are opposed to the idea of canine-free car parks and those in the equine world are scared that tough new planning rules could stop them keeping horses for recreational purposes. A rally organised by the Forest Uprising pressure group last Saturday attracted about 1,000 protesters, and NFDOG has got a day of action planned for Sunday at Brockenhurst.
At the NPA's headquarters, Mr Packham said the authority has to put people first and animals second, but "what disappoints me is that people are reluctant to accept change".
He said visitor pressure had increased on the New Forest. He is confident it can be managed in the future by directing people into certain areas and leaving others wild and remote for ground nesting birds to breed undisturbed.
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"What concerns me is that some of the attitudes are somewhat misguided."
He exercises his own dogs on the forest responsibly "with regard to nightjar and woodlark".
"We're trying to advise people how to minimise their impact on the area they know and love."
And he warned: "If we don't do anything we will lose the species because the impact dogs have is profound."
Authority chairman Clive Chatters pointed out there would be an extra 140,000 houses built on the doorstep of the park by 2026. That would mean a 13 per cent increase in the number of visitors to 14.6 million a year.
NPA chief executive Lindsay Cornish said she wants horse owners who did not have planning permission to regularise their positions.
The authority is only likely to pursue retrospective applications where the use of the land is having a harmful impact on the landscape.
She said a rumour that vice-chairman Barry Rickman had been asked to resign after criticising the consultation document "was a lie".
Road pricing would be a matter for Hampshire County Council.
Posted by: john, christchurch on 5:22pm Tue 7 Oct 08
as much as i detest dogs [and their dont give a toss about the mess i leave behind owners],i wll regardless of what regulations these little hitlers bring in will continue to walk in the forest with my children and grandchildren,far from encouraging cyclists they should be banned for the damage they cause.invaribably they arrive in the forest strapped to a motor home or a 4x4 driven by what appears to be a tattooed ape,some of the men are quite fearsome too.
as much as i detest dogs ,i wll regardless of what regulations these little hitlers bring in will continue to walk in the forest with my children and grandchildren,far from encouraging cyclists they should be banned for the damage they cause.invaribably they arrive in the forest strapped to a motor home or a 4x4 driven by what appears to be a tattooed ape,some of the men are quite fearsome too.
Posted by: ActrosMan, Poole on 6:21pm Tue 7 Oct 08
[quote]Road pricing would be a matter for Hampshire County Council[/quote]
I wonder how the folks in the forest will react when the prices in their shops go up as the transport companies pass on the road charges. Another good idea - not!
Road pricing would be a matter for Hampshire County Council
I wonder how the folks in the forest will react when the prices in their shops go up as the transport companies pass on the road charges. Another good idea - not!
Posted by: Country Bumpkin, Lymington on 11:56am Wed 8 Oct 08
...horse owners who did not have planning permission to regularise their positions...
What about all those people who rent their land to keep their horses - the farmers are more likely to tell the horsekeepers to get off the land than to apply for permission with all the hoops they need to jump through
...horse owners who did not have planning permission to regularise their positions...
What about all those people who rent their land to keep their horses - the farmers are more likely to tell the horsekeepers to get off the land than to apply for permission with all the hoops they need to jump through
Posted by: Tallauders, ringwood on 1:58pm Wed 8 Oct 08
Mr Packham said the authority has to put people first and animals second.
Has Mr Packham the first idea about why the forest looks as it does - ponies. Is he so bogged down with his view on conservation that he forgets that it is the residents of the New Forest with the guidance from the Verderers that have managed this area for the past 900 years, nothing to do with touchy feely incomers or the interference of the NPA. Stop treating us all like idiots and show some respect!!!!
Mr Packham said the authority has to put people first and animals second.
Has Mr Packham the first idea about why the forest looks as it does - ponies. Is he so bogged down with his view on conservation that he forgets that it is the residents of the New Forest with the guidance from the Verderers that have managed this area for the past 900 years, nothing to do with touchy feely incomers or the interference of the NPA. Stop treating us all like idiots and show some respect!!!!
Posted by: Sanityclause, New Forest on 7:38pm Wed 8 Oct 08
[quote][bold]Tallauders[/bold] wrote:
Mr Packham said the authority has to put people first and animals second. Has Mr Packham the first idea about why the forest looks as it does - ponies. Is he so bogged down with his view on conservation that he forgets that it is the residents of the New Forest with the guidance from the Verderers that have managed this area for the past 900 years, nothing to do with touchy feely incomers or the interference of the NPA. Stop treating us all like idiots and show some respect!!!! [/quote] Tallauders
The people Packham is talking about putting first are those very commoners and verderers - he has realised that they , and their animals , have to be put ahead of his Woodlarks and Nightjars . Your knee jerk agression pefectly demonstrates the attitude that his ilk are trying to calm . But then your use of 'incomers' expains so much .
Tallauders wrote:
Mr Packham said the authority has to put people first and animals second. Has Mr Packham the first idea about why the forest looks as it does - ponies. Is he so bogged down with his view on conservation that he forgets that it is the residents of the New Forest with the guidance from the Verderers that have managed this area for the past 900 years, nothing to do with touchy feely incomers or the interference of the NPA. Stop treating us all like idiots and show some respect!!!!
Tallauders
The people Packham is talking about putting first are those very commoners and verderers - he has realised that they , and their animals , have to be put ahead of his Woodlarks and Nightjars . Your knee jerk agression pefectly demonstrates the attitude that his ilk are trying to calm . But then your use of 'incomers' expains so much .
Posted by: rural40girl, Fordingbridge on 9:08pm Wed 8 Oct 08
John in Christchuch,I would like to point out that some people do need a 4x4 in the forest! I live up a dirt track 1/2mile long and very steep in places and a normal car just wouldn't manage it. I do have a tattoo as does my hubby, what that's got to do with what car I drive I'll never know. Don't tar everyone with the same brush please. Leave the forest alone PLEASE it's worked fine for nearly a thousand years, personally i think we should limit the tourists, they cause most of the car accidents in my area and road kills!
John in Christchuch,I would like to point out that some people do need a 4x4 in the forest! I live up a dirt track 1/2mile long and very steep in places and a normal car just wouldn't manage it. I do have a tattoo as does my hubby, what that's got to do with what car I drive I'll never know. Don't tar everyone with the same brush please. Leave the forest alone PLEASE it's worked fine for nearly a thousand years, personally i think we should limit the tourists, they cause most of the car accidents in my area and road kills!
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