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10:31am Wednesday 17th June 2009 in
A SECRET plan to ban cars from parts of the New Forest can be revealed by the Daily Echo today.
Environment chiefs also want to close down some tourist car parks in parts of the National Park.
The plan has been revealed in a report compiled by New Forest council bosses, a Daily Echo investigation has found.
It is the latest move to spark controversy following proposals by the National Park Authority to ban dogs from parts of the Forest, impose tougher restrictions on horse owners and look at a system of road tolls.
Now a new draft tourism scheme says car parks should be closed in remote areas, which would be designated Forest First zones.
But last night the scheme was branded “arrogant” by a leading campaigner.
David Dickenson, vice-chairman of the protest group NFDOG, which opposes moves to ban dogs from parts of the Forest, said: “Such arrogant behaviour bordering on dictatorship needs to be checked.”
He described the proposals as an attempt to “shut down the Forest to visitors”.
Under the strategy the new sites would be reserved for walking, cycling and riding – with all forms of traffic being removed “where possible”.
The document – called Our Future Together 2 – states: “Some areas of the district are valued for being wild and remote and should remain so.
“If the New Forest is to retain its integrity its needs must come first, before all visitor considerations.
“We believe these areas should remain free of all visitor structures and adjacent car parks and vehicular access should be removed.”
But district council Cabinet member Maureen Holding, who is also a member of the National Park Authority, has told officers to rewrite the tourism strategy.
“There were proposals to ban cars in some parts of the Forest but I don’t think that’s the right thing to do,” she said.
Cllr Holding warned that closing car parks would result in people parking in areas where they were likely to cause even more damage.
She added: “We haven’t got the power to close these things down and it wouldn’t work if we enforced it because we live in a free society.”
New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne said any car park closure plans would not be welcomed by many of the local visitors to the Forest.
“To tell people who have lived and worked in the area for years and generations they can’t go on roads or use car parks is a bit much,” he said.
An NPA spokesman stressed that the strategy was a council document and added: “It’s not related to us in any way.”
New Forest District Council itself was not available for comment.
Comments(26)
goard
says...
11:29am Wed 17 Jun 09
Andy Locks Heath
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11:53am Wed 17 Jun 09
owen_thesaints
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12:05pm Wed 17 Jun 09
D'Arcy Sarto
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12:14pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Andy Locks Heath wrote:You're right Andy, conspiracy theorists are trying to take over the world! ;-)
Yes everything is one great big conspiracy isn't it? First it was Watergate now it's New Forest Car Parks. I've heard that the Government are secretly plotting with some tin gods to take away a litter bin in the Locks Heath Centre and replace it with an inferior replica. Will this torment never end?
bumblysaint
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12:16pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Saintbob
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12:32pm Wed 17 Jun 09
jaspm77
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1:42pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Saintbob wrote:What about wasps?
What a bunch of morons. Do they not realise people will just park on the side of the road and verge. As seen at Iply Bridge. I think there should be a ban on the following; Horses, Deer, Adders, flying model planes, Gorse, heather, Pine Trees, Oak Trees, Grass, Insects, talking, Pigs, Cows, Donkeys, Ducks, Swans, Houses, Farms oh and Water causes alot of damage that should be banned too.
NewForestStu
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1:46pm Wed 17 Jun 09
D'Arcy Sarto
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1:57pm Wed 17 Jun 09
NewForestStu wrote:I rest my case.
More bureaucracy, it all boils down to them trying to set up charges for going anywhere near the forest. As for irresponsible dog owners, poppycock. They won't ever stop me going on the forest. Worst thing to happen was it becoming a NP.
Jesus_02
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3:55pm Wed 17 Jun 09
allotment-grower
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4:04pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Mac Ince
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4:19pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Jesus_02
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4:20pm Wed 17 Jun 09
annoyed01
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4:26pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Jesus_02
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4:31pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Mac Ince wrote:Mac
Hi Jesus, Deers do. And it's good for the soil. It's manure. However, the tinned food that Dogs eat is not good for the forest floor. Do a little research before you post such stupid remarks. Approximately 9.5 tonnes of faeces are deposited in the forest each day, this article might set you straight. http://www.thedogbow l.com/PPF/category_I D/37/dogbowl.asp :)
Jesus_02
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4:31pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Mac Ince wrote:Mac
Hi Jesus, Deers do. And it's good for the soil. It's manure. However, the tinned food that Dogs eat is not good for the forest floor. Do a little research before you post such stupid remarks. Approximately 9.5 tonnes of faeces are deposited in the forest each day, this article might set you straight. http://www.thedogbow l.com/PPF/category_I D/37/dogbowl.asp :)
D'Arcy Sarto
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4:36pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Jesus_02 wrote:Yes, it is owned by the nation-That doesn't mean that you have a right of way, maybe it should but it doesn't.
For some reason I cant quote D’arcy. But to paraphrase “the public have no right of way in the forest” Firstly it has national park status, which to my mind suggests that it is owned in at least part by the nation. Secondly who exactly are “the public” in this situation? Do home owners in the forest have a different set of rights than someone that lives in Fawley or Totton? Thirdly just because someone has put a sign up does not make it law To quote someone with more sence “There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me; Sign was painted, it said private property; But on the back side it didn't say nothing; That side was made for you and me.” Woody Guthrie 1944
D'Arcy Sarto
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4:40pm Wed 17 Jun 09
annoyed01 wrote:Yes i know you will..thats entirely my point!
D'Arcy Sarto, Hythe says... I rest my case. Here is a classic example of the 'my coochie woochie little poochie is more important than any other animal' type attitude that is risking restrictions being placed on the rest of us. Thanks Stu for such a wonderful illustration of my point. Your an idiot most people take responsibility for there dogs and have every right to be there so dozy C**ts like you should keep your noses out. If I want to ride my horse and walk my dog in the forest then I will.
Mac Ince
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4:50pm Wed 17 Jun 09
NewForestStu
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5:20pm Wed 17 Jun 09
annoyed01 wrote:D'arcy, where in my post did i state i walked a dog on the forest?, come to think of it i am not even a dog owner. Forget dogs, they are trying to stop people riding horses on the forest, is that not a joke in itself with ponies and donkeys etc on the land? And before you even go there, i have not and am not a horse owner either.
D'Arcy Sarto, Hythe says... I rest my case. Here is a classic example of the 'my coochie woochie little poochie is more important than any other animal' type attitude that is risking restrictions being placed on the rest of us. Thanks Stu for such a wonderful illustration of my point. Your an idiot most people take responsibility for there dogs and have every right to be there so dozy C**ts like you should keep your noses out. If I want to ride my horse and walk my dog in the forest then I will.
annoyed01
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5:41pm Wed 17 Jun 09
MarchwoodSaint
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6:21pm Wed 17 Jun 09
D'Arcy Sarto
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6:31pm Wed 17 Jun 09
annoyed01 wrote:A couple of points.
D'Arcy Sarto, Hythe says... Yes i know you will..thats entirely my point! You don't have every right at all...you don't have ANY rights to use the forest. It may seem wrong but i'm afraid it's a fact. Thats were your wrong again you pratt I live on the forest and do have the right to be on there. Self rightous twerps like you really need to take a look yourselves your scum
Andy Locks Heath
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6:51pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Higginz
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11:59am Thu 18 Jun 09
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Shoong says...
10:45am Wed 17 Jun 09