A GOVERNMENT body will be giving evidence at the public inquiry into plans for a container terminal at Dibden Bay.

The Countryside Agency is masterminding a bid to turn part of the New Forest, including the Bay, into a national park.

The agency plans to continue its objection to the Dibden Bay scheme because of its impact on the New Forest Heritage Area and the proposed park.

Regional director Duncan Mackay said: "We'll be giving evidence on the national park and the planning issues directly related to this. The proposed development would have a substantial impact on the proposed national park and would need to be very carefully considered."

Mr Mackay said issues relating to the heritage area would be raised at the inquiry by New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council.

The New Forest Committee had also objected to the proposed port and its potential impact on recreation, agriculture and commoning in the area, he said.

Yesterday it was revealed that pressure group Residents Against Dibden Bay Port is taking advice from the Dutch.

Moves to enlarge the port at Rotterdam have been put on ice to prevent the docks devouring greenfield sites and reclaimed coastline in the area.

Instead containers will simply have to be moved through the existing facilities more quickly.

Campaigners are urging Associated British Ports (ABP) to adopt a similar practice in Southampton and thus spare Dibden Bay.

But ABP has always insisted that the expansion is the only way of warding off competition from foreign ports.

The public inquiry into the Dibden Bay scheme will be held at the Waterside Theatre in Long Lane, Holbury, starting on October 30.