A HUGE pile of comments on plans to give the New Forest National Park status is being studied by Countryside Agency staff on behalf of the government.
When the deadline for comments closed at the weekend about 3,000 had been received from individuals, companies, county, town, district and parish councils, environmental groups and others.
Heather McIlwaine, the senior countryside officer in the national park designation team said: "Among many comments made, issues raised have included submissions on bringing Ringwood and Fording-bridge on the west and areas in the south around New Milton within the boundary.
"Others have commented on the area around Totton and parts of the Avon Valley in Dorset."
She said a report would go to the Countryside Agency board in spring and a decision on the proposed boundary would then be taken. A report will then be released to the local authorities affected. "This spring people will also have an opportunity to tell us what they think about the way the National Park Authority will work when we ask them about proposed administrative arrangements to reflect the special features of the Forest."
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