Fears over ageing Forest (From Daily Echo)

Fears over impact on local economy of the New Forest's ageing population

1:50pm Monday 25th February 2013 in News

WARNINGS about the dwindling working-age population of the New Forest have been issued.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) says the National Park is at risk of becoming a “permanent retirement and dormitory zone” rather than the living and working community it needs to be.

The warning follows an analysis of the 2011 Census.

CLA surveyor Tim Broomhead said: “The statistics regarding the other national parks in the UK show that retaining young families living and working in what are often remote rural communities is a real challenge.

“Retirement villages will not generate the economic activity essential to the maintenance and management of the countryside – future planning policies in national parks must recognise the need for affordable housing, for jobs and accessible services.”