Criticism on menu at Beaulieu dinner (From Daily Echo)

Criticism of the NPA on menu at Beaulieu dinner

11:01am Monday 24th November 2008 in New Forest

ANNUAL EVENT: Left to right, Ralph Montagu, Lord Montagu and Ailsa Montagu. Order no: 7688762

A CONTROVERSIAL blueprint for the future of the New Forest has come under fire from one of the area’s most prominent figures.

The Hon Ralph Montagu, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu’s son and heir, has hit out at far-reaching plans published by the National Park Authority (NPA).

The proposals include curbs on dog walking, tighter restrictions on keeping horses for recreational use and the possible introduction of road tolls.

They have been criticised by several organisations, including the local authorities that appoint half the 22 NPA members.

Speaking at the annual Beaulieu Estate dinner Mr Montagu said: “I would like a plan which recognises that most of the people living within the New Forest reside here for good reasons which are not necessarily connected with park authority purposes and objectives.

“Put simply: We were here first. If the NPA is to win hearts and minds, rather than simply use its statutory powers, it is doubly important that it really understands the full range of activities which may be found in the New Forest.”

He added that organisations in the Forest should join forces to tackle the problems facing the area.

He said the NPA lacked the power to implement some of its proposals and described the document as a mixture of policies and aspirations.

Mr Montagu added: “How much better it would be for us, the recipients of the plan, if the statutory bodies who nominate members for the National Park, perhaps joined by the Forestry Commission, were to produce a joint plan for the Forest.

“Then we would not have the regrettable situation of seeing the councils who nominate half the NPA’s board openly criticising the draft plan.”

People attending the dinner included the NPA chairman, Clive Chatters, and the chief executive, Lindsay Cornish.

Mr Montagu added: “When the National Park was created, I commented that the authority had the potential to bring new benefits if it could co-ordinate policy across all aspects of the Forest.

“Our guest speaker that year, Merrick Denton-Thompson, later a board member of Natural England, advocated a system of delegation to achieve a ‘one-stop shop’. That clearly hasn’t happened.

“Unless the NPA believes that the other authorities will meekly endorse and implement its plan, I fear we may continue to have the disunity that has hampered the administration of the New Forest for many years.”

The guest speaker at this year’s dinner was TV gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh, 58, who is also High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight.

He told a series of amusing anecdotes about his life as well as praising the conservation work carried out in the Forest.