Archived decisions

Contact: Paul Basham, ext 6054

1. Background

1.1 The original `Strategy for the New Forest' was published in 1996 by the New Forest Committee. Since that time it has provided an important policy framework for coordinating the work of the statutory organisations with responsibilities for the conservation of the New Forest.

1.2 The Strategy has now been extensively revised in order to:

(i) provide an updated document which includes current thinking on a wide range of topics and a comprehensive set of proposals to address key issues;

(ii) provide a framework for coordinated policies and actions across the whole of the Strategy remit area (see below);

(iii) broaden the ownership of the Strategy and include wider partnerships in its implementation; and

(iv) take into account current proposals for National Park designation and ensure the policies and proposals in the Strategy can be adopted by any future National Park Authority. In order that the Strategy remains relevant in the event of National Park designation a pragmatic approach has been taken in defining its remit area. This extends to the boundary shown in the New Forest National Park (Designation) Order 2002.

1.3 The overall purpose of the Strategy is to provide a framework for conserving the special qualities and character of the New Forest, while fully taking into account the social and economic needs of those living and working in the Forest, and the enjoyment of the Forest by its many visitors.

1.4 The document is structured around the four main themes of:

(i) Working Together;

(ii) Conserving the Forest;

(iii) Living and Working in the Forest; and

(iv) Enjoying the Forest.

Each theme contains a number of relevant topics, with factual information, main issues, objectives and proposals for action. The close links between many of the topics are noted in the text and cross-referenced to emphasise the importance of integrated management.

2. Public Participation - The Strategy Review Group

2.1 A Strategy Review Group was set up in February/March 2001 to give direct input into revising key aspects of the Strategy and establishing wider ownership of the document. The Review Group comprises about 100 organisations and individuals and includes a range of environmental and land management interests, recreation user groups, community organisations, parish councils, local authorities and statutory agencies, as well as interested residents. Many of the members of the Group have expressed an interest in becoming involved in future partnerships to help implement the Strategy proposals.

2.2 Six public workshops were held between April 2001 and January 2002. Participants reached a consensus and provided advice on the following:

(i) main issues and topics to be addressed;

(ii) vision and aims;

(iii) indicators for monitoring;

(iv) objectives for each topic area; and

(v) priority proposals for action.

2.3 The New Forest Committee Working Groups provided technical comments on the objectives and proposals for their area of interest, and these were fed back to the Review Group as the drafting process progressed.

3. Public Consultation on the Working Draft

3.1 Following consideration and comments from the New Forest Committee, an approved working draft of the Strategy was produced for public consultation in early June 2002, with the consultation period running until 18 September 2002.

3.2 The main aim of the consultation was to gain views on the full draft document, from both organisations and members of the public. A much shorter leaflet was also produced as a brief introduction to the Strategy, designed to provide wider feedback on the main issues and special qualities of the Forest.

3.3 During the consultation period 1,044 copies of the working draft were distributed:

(i) 752 to named organisations (local, regional and national) and individuals;

(ii) 180 to members of the public following press advertisements/ articles; and

(iii) 112 for reference to libraries, visitor information centres, council offices and parish councils.

3.4 In addition, 3,800 leaflets were distributed to members of the public through libraries, visitor information centres, the New Forest Museum and the New Forest Show.

4. Next Steps and Implementation

4.1 A full analysis of responses to the public consultation is currently under way. This will be reported to the New Forest Committee, together with recommended changes to the Strategy, on 3 December 2002. It is planned to publish the final document early in 2003.

4.2 Implementation of the Strategy will be taken forward through a series of partnerships, with the New Forest Committee Working Groups playing a central role. Initial discussion, prioritisation and a review of progress will involve a wide range of organisations and individuals at an annual stakeholder event. The first of these will be held to coincide with the launch of the completed Strategy.

4.3 The New Forest Transport Strategy Working Group will be kept up-to-date on the review and implementation of the Strategy for the New Forest at future meetings.

5. Relationship with the New Forest Transport Strategy

5.1 During the Strategy for the New Forest consultation process it became clear that transport issues were of major concern to local people and organisations. Sustainable transport policies were seen as central to delivering objectives relating to environmental quality, pedestrian safety, tourism and visitor management. Transport policy and implementation is therefore given high priority in the draft Strategy for the New Forest.

5.2 Similarly, the Countryside Agency's advice to the Government on the administrative arrangements for a New Forest National Park recognises the importance of transport issues. It recommends ministerial guidance to encourage joint working between a National Park Authority and the relevant highway authorities, with the purpose of producing an integrated local transport plan for the area.

5.3 It is therefore clearly important that the two strategies should complement each other and be able to accommodate the possibility of National Park designation within the next two years. This has been achieved to a large extent, and the Strategy for the New Forest draws on the information, objectives and proposals within the approved and draft revised version of the Transport Strategy.

5.4 However, it should also be noted that the New Forest Committee has formally expressed concerns regarding areas where the two strategies do not currently coincide. In particular, the Committee has suggested:

(i) a broadening of the remit area of the Transport Strategy, with the agreement of the adjacent highways authorities, to include the currently proposed National Park boundary. This will allow the Strategy to take into account the possibility of a wider definition of the `New Forest' in national policy terms, and begin to put in place structures which will ensure integrated transport planning throughout the New Forest area; and

(ii) the inclusion of policies and proposals which reflect the importance of public awareness raising and education, in order to help bring about some change in lifestyle and cultural attitudes amongst car users.

5.5 It is hoped that these issues can be resolved and that the strength provided by mutually compatible strategies will help take sustainable transport in the New Forest forward into the future.

Recommendation

That Members note the progress of the strategy document.

7456/PB