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| Horse in the New Forest |
I have lived in the New Forest, now New Forest National Park, with my family for the past 15 years.
I, like all other residents, am naturally interested in the newspaper articles, letters and general discussion in the community that the draft twenty-year plan for the Forest has generated.
The likely impact of possible restrictions on horse husbandry, dog walking and even access to the Forest cause me concern for my family, especially my grandchildren, both under three years old, and will be the beneficiaries of whatever is eventually decided for a good part of their life.
Clearly there has been some misinformation put about, which has triggered in some cases heated debate.
This could only have taken hold because the National Park Authority has not properly communicated with residents.
There has been lip service paid to real consultation.
It is not sufficient, for the Chairman, the Chief Executive or the Members who make up the Authority to console themselves with the fact that details are on the web and they have produced 1,000 glossy brochures for a limited distribution, as they are too expensive for residents to get a copy.
This is not consultation and comes hard on the heels of the ‘tombstone’ boundary signs that were erected without public consultation.
A number of public meetings have been held and a number more are planned.
Hopefully the New Forest National Park representatives will be proactive and take time to attend these remaining meetings.
It is of course of the paramount importance that there are guidelines for the New Forest National Park and I know that the Chairman and Chief Executive together with Members of the Authority are all working hard and have the best interests of the Forest at heart.
So we should look to the future and resolving the current issues surrounding the draft Plan.
It would go a long way to renewing the partnership between resident and the National Park Authority if the Chairman and Chief Executive would consider doing three things: first, apologise for the failure to notify all residents of the contents of the draft Plan; second, take steps, now, to ensure we all receive the details of the draft options/proposals in the plan; and third increase the time for consultation by delaying the deadline for comments from the 31st October to the 30 November so as to facilitate comment.
This may not immediately remove the mistrust by some residents of the New Forest National Park Authority but it certainly would be a start. |
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