The New Forest National Park Authority has called on Forestry England to reinvest all income generated from a new car parking scheme back into the New Forest National Park.
Forestry England (FE) is the land manager for the Crown Lands of the National Park – the National Park Authority (NPA) doesn’t own any land.
FE has announced it is planning to introduce charging at all 129 car parks across the central Crown Lands of the Forest – around 50% of the National Park.
The National Park Authority has no remit in approving or refusing the FE scheme as any changes are classed as permitted development and don’t require planning permission. It is also not in line to receive any of the income generated by the car parking scheme.
NPA Deputy Chair Victoria Mander said that with Forestry England facing a national deficit, the NPA’s Defra budget reduced by 50% over the past decade and future funding for commoning unresolved, it’s vital that this new income is additional to that already invested in the Forest and helps support its long-term future.
She said: ‘We are asking Forestry England to be clearer about where the money will go; we have unanswered questions about how much will be raised from the proposed charges and exactly how these proceeds will be invested to deliver the shared ambitions in the Partnership Plan for the New Forest National Park.
‘We have asked for a concession scheme for local people to ensure the National Park remains accessible. We are concerned that people will try to park elsewhere, which could have major impacts on wildlife, habitats, local communities and the working Forest; we have advised that robust measures will need to be in place before the scheme starts.
‘We also want to see minimal urbanising infrastructure that would change the character and uniqueness of the landscape.’