Thursday 26 March 2009

Conservation Areas Reviewed for Fritham and Burley

In today's New Forest National Park Authority meeting, the Authority designated revised boundaries for the existing Fritham and Burley Conservation Areas. The most significant change was the addition of Eyeworth to the Fritham Conservation Area.

The New Forest Association supports these changes which will help preserve the character of these areas in the heart of the New Forest.

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Verderers Help Secure Funding For Campsite Survey

At today's Verderers Court the Official Verderer announced that the funding has been put into place for the the New Forest Campsite Baseline Survey. This survey was first suggested in a presentment from the NFA in last October's court. Subsequently, the NFA pledged to provide half the funding (£9,000), and the Verderers would seek the remainder. The Verderers also noted contributions from Forest Holidays, the New Forest Commoners Defence Association, and the New Forest Trust. The New Forest National Park Authority have offered £3,500, and an additional £1,500 nominal contribution "in kind" assistance with digital mapping technology.

The Official Verderers went on to thank the NFA for putting up half the cash, and for providing all of the day to day project management.

Once completed it will be an integral tool for future detailed monitoring of the configuration and condition of the campsites. It will be key in insuring that future management of the campsites will comply with The survey will be of great use to the Verderers, Forest Holidays, the Forestry Commission, Natural England, and the National Park Authority in ensuring that the future maintenance of the campsites is done sensitively and appropriately and complies with the New Forest Acts.

The Association would like to thank the Verderers for their ongoing support for the survey.

Damage to Studley Castle

The NFA made a presentment today in the March Verderers Court, decrying the damage done by Forestry Commission contractors to Studley Casle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, site of one of Edward III medieval hunting lodges. The Verderers were asked to pursue the Forestry Commission to put into place sound procedures to avoid future incidents which may further damage the Forest’s heritage and archaeology.

One member of the NFA council has likened the incident to "backing a lorry into Stonehenge".

Apart from the damage to Studley Castle itself, the sheer level of mess and damage left behind by the contractors at this site in Isles Thorns Enclosure is appalling. The area is still a complete mess, and a hazard to all forest users.

Further info about Studley Castle.

Sunday 1 March 2009

New Forest Association AGM

The 2009 New Forest Association's Annual General Meeting will take place at Minstead Village Hall on Saturday 25th April at 10:30 am. In addition to the usual agenda items, Clive Chatters, the New Forest National Park Authority Chairman, will be a featured speaker on the current status and progress of the Park.

The day will also include an optional after lunch field trip, looking at the issues surrounding fallen deadwood on the crown lands.