Breadcrumbs
New Forest Designation Order - 21 February 2002
"This is a big day and very good news for the New Forest," says Countryside Agency chairman Ewen Cameron. "The New Forest National Park will be the first National Park created since 1956. The Designation Order we have published today shows the boundary the Countryside Agency has included in the National Park and has submitted to the Secretary of State for the Environment for confirmation. We are also sending to the Secretary of State our advice on the special arrangements that are needed to make sure a New Forest National Park Authority best meets the needs of this unique area. We are recommending ten special measures to address the particular needs of the New Forest."
"We are very grateful to those who have worked with us, attended meetings, written and sent detailed comments to our consultations and contributed in many other ways to create the National Park. We have considered very carefully all the comments made and used the information given to us in finalising our own decisions. All of this is reflected in the boundary shown in the Designation Order and in the special arrangements for a New Forest National Park Authority that we are recommending to the Secretary of State.
"We are sending a leaflet to all households in the area, and to all those who responded to our consultations, to inform them that the Designation Order has been made and telling them where and when it can be inspected and for how long, along with how they can make representations to the Secretary of State in support of, or objections against, the Order. Public notices are also being placed in newspapers through the area. The leaflet also outlines our advice to the Secretary of State.
"We have listened carefully to all the comments we have had and we agree with many others that special measures are needed for a New Forest National Park Authority. That is why we are asking the Secretary of State to take special measures. We do not agree, however, that new legislation is necessary, as some people are advocating.
"We recognised from the outset that special arrangements would be needed for a New Forest National Park Authority because of the area's unique features and we have refined our thinking in the light of the responses to our consultation. For instance we are advising the Secretary of State to issue special guidance that recognises the special qualities of the area, including the New Forest legislation, nature conservation, commoning and the privilege of access over the Crown land, identifying how the authority should take account of them in its work and indicating how members of the authority might be selected to reflect the special needs of the New Forest.
"It is also important to note that the New Forest Acts are not being changed by the creation of a national park authority. The purposes and powers of the Verderers and Forestry Commission in the forest do not change, but we are advising that the Secretary of State should encourage close liaison between these bodies and a New Forest National Park Authority so that they work together to achieve the national park purposes of conservation and quiet enjoyment.
"I have therefore asked the Secretary of State to confirm the Order (she may hold a public inquiry before deciding to do so) and to act on our advice to establish the first National Park, with its own special Authority to be created for more than forty years. This is, indeed, a historic moment for this very special part of the country, the New Forest, and I am pleased that we have been able to play our part, along with many others, in conserving and caring for the Forest," he says.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the English countryside. There are currently 8 National Parks and 37 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England. National Parks were designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for the twin purposes of preserving and enhancing their natural beauty and of promoting their enjoyment by the public. In 1995 Parliament added that NPAs should take account of the economic and social needs of local communities. The Environment Act 1995 revised the main purposes to: conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks; and promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities by the public.
Objections or representations on the New Forest National Park Designation Order have to be made to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and it will be the Secretary of State's decision as to whether to confirm the order or whether a public inquiry might be needed.
All of the designation order documents will be available on the Countryside Agency's website.
