Archived decisions

Detailed comments on the draft Management Plan

    1. Further Highways issues

    1.1 Page 10, paragraph 1 and page 55, objective 10, should recognise that the ability of the County Council to deliver against the Management Plan will be limited by availability of funding and its obligations towards national priorities. The Management Plan should not be used as a vehicle for lobbying the County Council for interventions that are undeliverable and unaffordable and where evidence does not justify such an intervention.

    1.2 In line with PPG13 - Transport, and the South East Plan, the Management Plan should acknowledge that the car is likely to remain the dominant mode of travel in rural areas such as the New Forest National Park.

    2. Biodiversity issues

    2.1 Chapter 4 Section 01 - Priority Action - veteran trees - Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre should be included as a key partner.

    2.2 Chapter 4 Section 02 -

      Title and subsequent text should better reflect wider impacts, by use of word "biodiversity" rather than just habitats, to encompass habitats, species and ecological functionality.

    2.3 The Biodiversity Action Plan is referred to but this should include an explanation of how it will be used for informing decisions and setting priorities and targets.2.4 Page 22 - Development Pressure - planning policies should also ensure impacts are minimised, and biodiversity is enhanced.

    2.5 Page 22 - Objective 2, bullet point 2: suggest that reference is made to maintaining/sustaining internationally and nationally designated habitats that are in favourable condition as well as those that are not in favourable condition.

      4th bullet point - development proposals should also take wildlife into account.

    2.6 Page 9 - Economic Growth: trends over next 20 years should refer to potential growth of Southampton Port, with regards to possible development of Dibden Bay area.

    3. Other issues

    3.1 Chapter 4 Section 03 - Enhancing landscapes and habitats.

    Include a reference to incentivising access improvements and delivery of the New Forest and South West Hampshire Countryside Access Plan through partnership schemes such as Small Grant Scheme is included in this section.

    3.2 Chapter 4 Section 04 - Climate Change

      Cross reference could be made to transport issues and their contribution to climate change.

      Reference should be made in this section to the implications of climate change on access and enjoyment of the coast, particularly to significant recreational resources such as Lepe Country Park, Calshot and the access network.

      Priority Action - Hampshire County Council should be included as key partner in the first action on the list (climate change adaptation strategy).

      Amend action 5 to: "the New Forest National Park Authority will contribute or support the production of green infrastructure plans for areas outside of the National Park (see also second paragraph under Development pressure)."

    3.3 Chapter 4 Section 05 - Tranquillity

      Priority Action - Hampshire County Council should be included as key partner in final action on list, as they have responsibility for street lighting.

    3.4 Chapter 4 Section 06 - Understanding the Special Qualities

      Hampshire County Council should be included as a partner in developing educational programmes and supporting resources.

    3.5 Chapter 4 Section 06 - Special Qualities

      Objective 6 - refers to data but there is no priority action attached to this point. HBIC would be important key partner in any such work

    3.6 Chapter 4 Section 07 - Enjoying the National Park

      The fact that people visit the Park for wildlife watching should be referred to.

      The overall vision accords with the New Forest and South West Countryside Access Plan (CAP) and we support the recognition of the importance of the CAP in the Plan. However, we would like to see a greater emphasis given to the positive provision of new recreational facilities designed and located in response to visitor needs not just to avoid impacts on the special qualities of the Park. It is recommended that the importance of access to the coast is included in this section given its prominence in the CAP and the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.

      It should be noted that Public Rights of Way, a form of recreational facility, can be established through non-negotiable legal right and, whilst every effort should be made to limited impact on the special qualities of the area, this cannot be guaranteed.

    3.7 Chapter 4 Section 09 - Fostering economic well-being

      Hampshire County Council is cited as a key partner in the delivery of the Park's actions relating to economic well-being except in the three actions relating to tourism and sustainable business. The County Council can make a valuable contribution in these areas should be included as a key partner.

    3.8 Chapter 4 Section 10 - Traffic and Transport

      Reference should be made to the delivery of the New Forest and South West Hampshire CAP in this section.