TOURISM bosses have condemned a decision that could result in a Hampshire theme park being forced to bulldoze two of its most popular attractions.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has been accused of failing to recognise the economic importance of Paulton’s Park after throwing out its application to retain the Cobra and Edge rides.

The family-run business welcomes more than 400,000 visitors a year and is said to be worth millions of pounds to the local economy.

However, NPA members went against the advice of planning officers and rejected a retrospective application to continue operating the two rides, despite support for the proposal from the district council’s tourism officer, Tony Climpson.

Paulton’s will be forced to dismantle the multi-million-pound rides unless it lodges a successful appeal. Its supporters include Christine Ames, a member of New Forest Tourism Association and the New Forest Business Partnership and a former chairman of both organisations.

She said: “Anyone involved in business and tourism in the New Forest will be hugely disappointed by the NPA’s decision.

“The officers recognised that businesses need to grow and keep their place in the market.

“People have loved going to Paulton’s Park over the years but new attractions are needed to keep them going, which fuels the local economy.”

Mrs Ames said Paulton’s originally failed to seek permission for the two new rides following a “misunderstanding” over whether consent was required.

She added: “The Mancey family have been fantastic in ensuring that visitors are provided with a high quality experience. It’s a well-run establishment that has taken great pains to ensure that it has a minimal impact on its surroundings.

“However, members of the NPA have flown in the face of the officers’ advice and failed to recognise the economic advantages of Paulton’s Park.

“We acknowledge that the conservation of the New Forest is very important but Paulton’s sits on the periphery.”

The application was rejected by just two votes following noise complaints from some of the people living near the attraction, which opened in 1983.

The decision sparked applause from many of the people sitting in the public gallery but has been criticised by members of the NPA itself.

Maureen Holding, who supported the application, said: “I didn’t think the noise level was enough to warrant refusal. The M27 motorway makes more noise than the rides.”

Paulton’s is still deciding whether to lodge an appeal against the committee’s decision.

A spokesman said managers had nothing to add to a statement issued after the meeting in which they said they were reviewing their options.