Annual Review 2018 – 2019 ABOUT US P4 PROTECT P8 ENJOY P24 PROSPER P32 ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE P38

Annual Review 2018 – 2019 ABOUT US p4 PROTECT p8 ENJOY p24 PROSPER p32 ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE p38

Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s statement

It’s a crucial moment in time for the future of the New Forest National Park.

Building a ‘Team New Forest’ across • How do we help people connect in the years to come, where organisations and communities is vital with nature to engender both our environment is central to if we are to all make best use of our stewardship and wellbeing? decision-making about our resources and ensure we have a strong communities and economy – These questions are at the fore in collective voice to champion the New a ‘natural capital’ approach. 2019 as we mark 70 years since the Forest National Park. This annual review creation of a network of protected shows the many ways in which the This year much of our focus has landscapes; the ‘Glover Review’ New Forest National Park Authority is been on strengthening partnerships, set up by Government to examine bringing people together to do just this; building new collaborations and the role of protected landscapes in improving the environment, supporting finding fresh approaches to make England in the 21st Century has been land management that delivers public this happen, looking both within and a key focus, building from Sir Arthur benefit and connecting people with beyond the National Park boundary. Hobhouse’s report that paved the way the natural world – key aspects of the Our huge thanks goes to staff, our for the first National Parks. We were Government’s 25 Year Environment members and our partners for all delighted to host Julian Glover and Plan published in January 2018. that has been achieved together this his team in the autumn and be able year towards ensuring this special Many of the pressing issues we are to introduce them to the New Forest place thrives into the future. dealing with at a local scale reflect the and to many of the key people from reports that we’ve seen published over a range of organisations working for the past year showing worrying trends its future across our shared themes for wildlife and climate nationally and of ‘Protect, Enjoy and Prosper’. With indeed internationally. In this context, the Review set to report in autumn we are working with partners to address 2019, we hope for a fresh mandate Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, Chairman crucial questions for the future: for protection of wildlife and protected landscapes, with emphasis on the • What are the priorities for wildlife? importance of engaging more people • How do we best manage in caring for them and championing Alison Barnes, Chief Executive our landscape for nature and their benefits to modern society. fund this following Brexit? We are determined that the New • How do we provide housing Forest is a place where the 25 Year for our communities while Environment Plan can be seen in action protecting the Forest?

Cover photo: Roe deer © Matt Roseveare Lymington Marsh © Alex Kerslake ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 ABOUT US

About the New Forest Our Authority board members 2018-19 National Park Authority members have overall Thanks go to all members who have served over the National Park Authority responsibility for making decisions. They are responsible last year, in particular to Phil Marshall who sadly passed for setting policies and priorities, ensuring efficient and away in 2018. Phil was a diligent and well-respected effective use of resources, and that money is well spent. member of the Authority and he is much missed. It is their job to represent the interests of the National Our vision Our mission – We like to sum Park and to balance out any conflicting pressures. The vision for the National Park in 20 National Park purposes this up as: years’ time is of an area which has a Local authority appointees unique and immediately recognisable As guardians of a national park the sense of place, where: New Forest National Park Authority Protect has statutory purposes and socio- • tranquillity and a feeling of naturalness economic responsibilities as specified Enjoy pervade large parts of the Park in the Environment Act of 1995: • the mosaic of distinctive landscapes • to conserve and enhance the natural Prosper and habitats are all of the highest beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage quality and a great variety of wildlife of the area is able to flourish • to promote opportunities for the David Harrison, Edward Heron, Gordon Bailey, Richard Frampton Penny Jackman Richard Clewer Ann Sevier Chairman of Deputy Chairman Deputy Chairman (to July 2018) (from September • there is a strong sense and understanding and enjoyment of Resources, Audit of the Authority of Planning 2018) understanding of the heritage and the special qualities of the Park by and Performance Committee living culture of the Forest the public. Committee • all visitors can gain inspiration, health Working in partnership with other and wellbeing and enjoy the extensive organisations it is also the Authority’s areas of land with open access duty to seek to foster the economic • the far-reaching consequences of and social wellbeing of the local climate change are taken into account communities within the National Park. in all policies and future plans

• people live and work sustainably and Mel Kendal Keith Mans Leo Randall, Barry Rickman Neville Penman Pat Wyeth contribute to the care of the Forest Chairman of Planning Committee • local, regional and national organisations recognise the value of the National Park and there is a shared understanding of its role within the Secretary of State appointees wider area Cairngorms • everyone contributes in appropriate ways to keeping the National Park Loch Lomond a special place for present and and the Trossachs future generations.

Northumberland Oliver Phil Marshall, Patrick Heneghan Marian Spain, Gavin Parker David Bence Crosthwaite-Eyre, Chairman of Deputy Chairman North York Moors Chairman of Standards of Resources, Audit Lake the Authority Committee and Performance District (to September Committee (to Yorkshire Dales 2018) November 2018) Our 22 members do not represent any particular Snowdonia Parish appointees political group. Driven by the National Park purposes Peak District Broads and duty, they work with officers to establish and then deliver our work programme, with operational Pembrokeshire aspects delegated to officers. Coast Brecon • 12 are appointed by the county, district, and Beacons borough councils with land within the National Park Exmoor • six are appointed by the Secretary of State for South Downs Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Right: The UK’s 15 National Parks Richard Taylor George Bisson, Harry Oram John Sanger New Forest • four are selected from the parish councils within Contains Ordnance Survey data. Deputy Chairman the National Park. © Crown copyright and database right 2019 Dartmoor of Standards © National Parks UK 2019 Committee 4 5 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 ABOUT US

An extraordinary What makes the New Forest diversity of plants and animals of © Mike Read international A changing context for the National Park so special? importance These are the ‘special qualities’ of the New Forest New Forest National Park National Park – what makes it unique and recognisable To meet these challenges, we have worked closely with and distinguishes it from all other places in the country. our partner organisations and neighbouring authorities to maximise opportunities for ’net environmental gain’ and to mitigate the impacts of new development on the National Park’s habitats and wildlife.

A unique historic, 10,400 77,000 104,000 cultural and extra homes planned for vehicles daily extra homes planned for archaeological heritage south Wiltshire by 2026 on the A31 south Hampshire by 2034

WILTSHIRE HAMPSHIRE

Redlynch Romsey West Wellow Eastleigh

Fordingbridge Totton SOUTHAMPTON

Outstanding natural beauty © Andy Hill

Ashurst An historic commoning system Lyndhurst Hythe Ringwood

Holbury Burley Brockenhurst Fawley Beaulieu

Sway DORSET Bransgore

New Milton The iconic New Forest pony Tranquillity Lymington Barton on Sea CHRISTCHURCH Wonderful opportunities for A healthy POOLE BOURNEMOUTH Milford on Sea quiet recreation, learning environment and discovery ISLE OF WIGHT

33,000 15.2 million Future port Strong and extra homes planned recreation and leisure day at Dibden Bay distinctive local for SE Dorset by 2028 visits a year, up nearly two proposed in the draft Port communities million from 2015 (mainly of Southampton Masterplan due to population increases) Images © NFNPA unless stated

Heathland near Linwood © Nick Lucas ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 PROTECT

The New Forest is one of the most important sites for freshwater plants and animals in the UK.

The Living Waters project includes reducing small sources of pollution with help from the Beaulieu estate, tenant farmers and horse owners; training Adders, male and female 35 volunteers who regularly monitor water quality, © Tony Bates and a campaign to encourage local communities to reduce pollution.

Naomi Ewald of the Freshwater Habitats Trust said: ‘So far the results show that 80% of the Creating space for water bodies sampled in the Beaulieu catchment have clean water. This is nature in the New outstanding compared with other river catchments we’ve surveyed.’ Spotted flycatcher Dragonfly ©Shutterstock © Mark Heighes Forest National Park Further funding has been confirmed by the Improving the Beaulieu Environment Agency to improve the water quality of Hatchet Pond – one of the most important organisations and landowners working Wildlife globally and across the UK is in freshwater waterbodies for wildlife in the UK. decline and sadly national parks are not together for wildlife. River catchment excluded from this trend. Paul Walton, Head Considerable investment has already gone in to enhancing key habitats Beaulieu River of Environment and Rural Economy at the New Forest through two multi-million pound © Sam Loades National Park Authority, tells us about the issues in the schemes which the National Park New Forest and what is being done to tackle them. Authority is part of. On the Crown Lands and Open Forest, Never has there been a more important stable system of land management has one aspect of the Verderers Higher Level time to come together to lead action meant that the area remains one of the Stewardship Scheme (worth £19 million for wildlife. most important and extensive sites for over 10 years) has restored miles of nature conservation in Europe. The key In launching a global assessment report internationally-important wetlands challenges here are maintaining the long- on biodiversity Sir Bob Watson of for wildlife. term viability of commoning, finding the Intergovernmental Science-Policy ways to restore fragmented habitats Elsewhere in the National Park, the Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem that once covered a much greater area £4.4 million National Lottery Heritage Services (IPBES) called for policy makers and managing the people pressure the Fund Our Past, Our Future landscape and practitioners to provide clarity on location of the New Forest brings. partnership scheme is improving Unveiling a ‘secret forest’ what the future might look like for woodlands, ponds, rivers and nature and set a clear agenda for our Beyond the Crown lands, in the other hedgerows, and removing invasive joint priorities for wildlife. This is as true 50% of the 200 square miles of our species, which crowd out native plants In 2018 we joined with the RSPB to purchase a 1,000 acre in the New Forest as globally. National Park, mainstream farming from our woodlands and waterways. practices have largely followed national woodland called Franchises Lodge near Nomansland in the The State of Nature Report 2016 trends with similar consequences for The New Forest National Park Authority (produced by a partnership of over 50 north of the National Park. wildlife and loss of semi-natural habitats. also supports conservation efforts conservation organisations) identified through a number of other schemes Add in the need to manage the effects of The size of over 1,300 football fundraising campaign was launched. which small groups of young people two key factors as being responsible and partnerships. recreation and pressures of development pitches, it provides a vital link for will be able to have exceptional, for much of the decline in UK wildlife: We and the RSPB submitted a joint and population growth beyond the You can read about what has been wildlife between two internationally- immersive experiences in nature. The agriculture and climate change. bid to National Grid’s Landscape National Park boundary and the need to achieved to date throughout this important areas – Langley Wood Cameron Bespolka Trust has donated Enhancement Initiative fund to clear Intensive agricultural practice squeezes address these challenges with a range of annual review. National Nature Reserve in the north £350,000 towards creating and invasive rhododendron, improve out wildlife, while climate change will measures becomes apparent. and the New Forest Special Protection running ‘Cameron’s Cottage’. The We will be joining with non-governmental footpaths within the reserve, mean there are winners and losers, with Area in the south, making a huge next step is to submit a planning organisations, developers, landowners renovate three protected Bronze Age key species struggling to adapt to the section of the New Forest better for application. So how are we tackling and farmers to ensure the value of burial mounds and remove building change in conditions and nowhere nature and more joined up. to go as habitats change. While not these challenges in the national parks for both wildlife and people rubble that had been fly-tipped there. Peter Exley, RSPB Public Affairs is acknowledged and that we work This year we signed a ‘memorandum Manager said: ‘Our vision together is immune to the impacts of climate New Forest? The RSPB also announced it wants together in constructive ways to manage of understanding’, outlining joint to create a place that will inspire the change, the Crown lands at the heart of to develop a residential educational We’re working hard to ensure our the pressures that the New Forest is under plans for the site. Walks and meetings next generation of naturalists and the National Park have benefitted from facility, renovating a derelict cottage spaces for wildlife are bigger, better to ensure the National Park delivers more were held with the community and a conservationists.’ the continuity of the commoning system on the site to provide a base from and more joined up. We can only do for wildlife in the future. and forest management. This relatively this through a combined effort of 10 11 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 PROTECT

Our Past, Our Future The New The impact The Our Past, Our Future The 21 projects come under the The £4.4 million scheme is led by us, Forest Land themes of: with 10 other partners and is backed by 40 hectares of Sites (OPOF) landscape partnership the National Lottery Heritage Fund and • Restoring lost landscapes Advice Service of Importance for scheme ensures that the New ends in 2020. • Developing Forest skills Nature Conservation Forest is better equipped to Here are some of the habitats, (SINCs) restored thrive through change and • Discovering Forest heritage and wildlife and heritage achievements inspiring a new generation of 2018-2019... modern-day pressures. • Monitoring and evaluation.

Find out more about other Our Past, Our Future work at newforestnpa.gov.uk/landscapepartnership

Wildlife sightings double The New Forest Land Advice Service team Bats, butterflies and birds are beginning to thrive at newly managed woodlands, The Land Advice Service helps meadows and hedgerows thanks to the landowners manage their Our Past, Our Future scheme. Aberdeen Angus cattle land for wildlife through grazing at Emery Down Monitoring of restored wildlife sites by SINC to restore it for wildlife Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust advice, practical work and has seen nearly 7,000 new records of access to grants. over 200 different species. Nature’s Stepping Stones project Highlights included a newly planted It’s a partnership between the National There are a large number of Sites of owners and managers of grassland, hedgerow being used for the first time Park Authority, Forestry England and Importance for Nature Conservation heathland, coastal and wetland SINCs since 2017 as a flight path by common Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (SINCs) in the New Forest, ranging to ensure they’re managed in the pipistrelle bats. and is hosted by us. from small ponds to woodland and best way. open grassland. Several sites have seen a doubling or The Service runs rural skills training Over 40 hectares of SINCs have been tripling of butterfly and bird species, for landowners, managers and They help to buffer and connect restored at 28 sites since 2016. This including the crossbill, spotted flycatcher commoners on skills as varied as natural areas, provide ecological has included installing fencing, a and dark green fritillary. coppicing, hedgelaying and venison networks and increase the resilience bridge and a gate at Emery Down butchery as part of the Our Past, of wildlife. SINC so a commoner’s Aberdeen Our Future scheme. Angus cattle can graze the meadows, A number of SINCs are in a poor making the site better for wildlife. See over for some of the other OPOF condition and the New Forest Land projects the Service has worked on: Advice Service is working with the

The impact Working Woodlands project Over 40% of private woodlands in the New Forest are 7,000 new unmanaged, meaning the sites aren’t generally as good wildlife records for nature, people or the economy as they might be. at restored sites With the help of volunteers and contractors, we’ve restored and enhanced over 130 hectares of woodland at 22 privately-owned woodland sites since 2016. Practical conservation work has taken place on Crossbill © iStock / Frank Leung privately-owned woodland, meadow and heathland sites. Some sites have required a more traditional approach – a woodland at Pilley was impossible to access with machinery so comtois horses were used Project partners: to extract the timber.

Comtois horses extracting felled timber

Working together for the New Forest

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust 12 13 Verderers of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship Scheme The New Forest scheme is the largest agri-environment scheme in Great Britain. In numbers Here are some of the achievements since it started in 2010. 17,000 reflective collars fitted to ponies, donkeys and cattle to help prevent road accidents

14,000 3,000 12 200 20 school children went on archaeological sites miles of verges restored sites saw invasive miles of streams and mires visits to learn more about identified and recorded and protected after vehicle rhododendron plants restored to their natural the New Forest following a laser scanning damage, to save rare removed which crowd outANNUAL REVIEWcourses, 2018-19 which won the UK PROTECT survey of the whole plants and grazing areas native species, meaning River Prize national park, equivalent to the whole Open Forest 125,000 football pitches has been treated Verderers of the

50 New Forest Higher Level ponds surveyed to gather Stewardship Scheme data on rare species The New Forest scheme is the largest 1,250 30 In numbers600agri-environment scheme in Great Britain.

Here are some of the achievements requests by commoners for surveys of rare species to hectares of invasive bracken since it started in 2010. land management advice, see how they’re faring and harvested or treated to restore training and grant application how we can help them the equivalent of 960 football 12 support to the New Forest pitches of grassland habitat 17,000 miles of verges restored reflective collars fitted to and protected after vehicle Land Advice Service ponies, donkeys and cattle to Before: A very straight channel at After: Meanders reconnected damage, to save rare The impact help prevent road accidents Wootton before being restored and embankments lowered after plants and grazing areas restoration at Wootton 500 20 miles of commoners signed up to the Verderers 3,000 streams restored Grazing Scheme, receiving payments when 14,000 archaeological sites they demonstrate responsible practices school children went on identified and recorded visits to learn more following23 a laser 20 1,250 about the New Forest scanning survey of the miles of streams and mires requests by commoners for whole poundsnational park, rebuilt inrestored hardwood, to their natural to improve safety The Verderers of the New Forest land management advice, WINNER equivalent to 125,000 courses, which won the UK and ensure they last longer. The poundstraining play and grant application 2019 UK football pitches River Prize an important role in the success of commoningsupport to the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS) River and are symbols of the unique cultural heritageLand Advice Service Prize of the New Forest Great Britain’s largest agri-environment scheme, 50 worth £19 million over 10 years from 2010-2020. ponds surveyed to gather 200 data on rare species 30 sites saw invasive The scheme works to protect and The scheme won the prestigious 2019 ‘Visually, the finished work demonstrates enhance the internationally-important UK River Prize. incredible attention to detail, often surveys of rare species rhododendron plants habitats which support a wide number restoring the stream component to to see how they’re removed which crowd out 600 Nick Wardlaw, Higher Level Stewardship native species, meaning of rare species. its old course and floodplain with 218 faring and how we hectares of invasive Manager at Forestry England said: the whole Open Forest has remarkably few visible scars to the can help them bracken harvested or The HLS agreement with Natural ‘The New Forest is an internationally been treated landscape, as if it had been there for foals born to improve the gene pool of the treated to restore the England is held by the Verderers of the important wetland and home to 75% centuries.’ rare and threatened New Forest breed, 500 equivalent of 960 football New Forest. The scheme is managed of the remaining valley mires, or boggy pitches of grassland habitat which is essential in shaping the landscape commoners signed up to the Verderers by them in partnership with Forestry areas, in north-western Europe. Over The partners are pushing for the HLS Grazing Scheme, receiving payments when 23 England and the New Forest National the last nine years this project has been scheme to continue after March 2020. they demonstrate responsible practices pounds rebuilt in hardwood, to improve safety and Park Authority. painstakingly restoring wetlands across ensure they last longer. The pounds play an important the New Forest, changing artificially Restoring the National Park’s unique role in the success of commoning and are symbols of straightened streams to return their wetland habitat is a large element of the unique cultural heritage of the New Forest natural meanders and bends, and ‘It was impossible to ignore the scheme. 218 protecting them from further erosion.’ the huge amount of work foals born to improve the gene So far over 20 miles of streams that had Martin Janes, Managing Director of that this partnership has pool of the rare and threatened previously been deepened or realigned The River Restoration Centre said: undertaken over the past New Forest breed, which is during the Victorian period have been ‘It was impossible to ignore the huge nine years leading to the essential in shaping the landscape returned to their natural water courses. amount of work that this partnership Many of the streams and mires were improvement and protection has undertaken over the past nine failing current ecological standards but of rare wetland habitat.’ NPA 00947 years leading to the improvement and now their natural processes have been River Restoration Centre protection of rare wetland habitat. restored, making the habitats better for wildlife and commoning, to reduce flooding and make them more resilient to drought. 14 15 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 PROTECT

Royal approval for woodland warriors Supporting the ancient tradition of commoning Commoning and the right to turn out animals to roam Pondhead Conservation Trust is a community woodland project restoring 200 acres of the landscape is vital for the survival of the New Forest woodland at Lyndhurst to improve the site’s biodiversity and enable local people to enjoy it. as we know it today. Run entirely by volunteers who provide arranged for timber that was felled Find out more at The ponies and cattle are known as Association, matching experienced over 4,000 hours of work each year, the by volunteers to be extracted by a pondheadconservation.org.uk. the ‘architects of the Forest’ – it’s their commoners with six people who are Trust works with diverse groups within traditional horse logger as part of the grazing which creates the habitats and new to the Forest’s traditional practices. the community. Our Past, Our Future scheme. Above: Pondhead Conservation Trust receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service enables plants, fungi, insects, birds and Helping to round-up New Forest ponies, The woodland is managed on a fully Gemma Stride, Working Woodlands from Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson (centre), animals to thrive here, some of which are caring for stock and sheep showing sustainable basis and is funded by project officer, said: ‘The Pondhead with Trustees Dave Dibden (left) and Derek found almost nowhere else in the UK. are just a few of the skills learnt by running craft courses and producing project is a perfect example of Tippetts (right). The animals’ owners are ordinary people new commoners in the innovative The impact high quality BBQ charcoal, which is sustainable woodland management Below: Pondhead Conservation trustees Derek with an extraordinary commitment to the mentoring programme. sold through a network of New by harnessing local enthusiasm and Tippetts (left) and Dave Dibden with the New Forest – around 700 commoners Six new charcoal burner. Each pairing lasts one year, with Forest outlets. expertise to create diverse habitats who have ancient rights attached to their participants spending time on their commoners helped into the future.’ land or property. The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire mentor’s land to learn vital commoning by mentors presented ‘the MBE of voluntary The New Forest Land Advice Service skills that ensure the survival of this service’ to Pondhead Conservation oversees a commoner mentoring unique way of managing the Forest’s Trust on behalf of Her Majesty the scheme with the Commoners Defence rare habitats and traditional way of life. Queen in September. Above: Commoner Charlie Knight is a mentor to new commoner Sami Blastock The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a voluntary organisation Shared Forest in the UK and is subject to a rigorous selection process, with the final decision The Shared Forest OPOF project led by the resting with the Cabinet Office in Commoners Defence Association set up a London. The award was established Business Group which now has over 60 member to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee organisations, encouraging their employees to in 2002; there have been only 38 drive safely and slow down for Forest animals. recipients in Hampshire. A commoning education toolkit has been The National Park Authority has created and is available on our website. provided advice and over £23,000 Around 10,000 people attended the worth of grants since the project started. Commoning Voices exhibition at the New Forest Heritage Centre, Lyndhurst (right), This year the New Forest Land Advice put together with help from our staff to Service worked with the Trust to communicate the importance of commoning. complete a survey of the site and Commoning Voices exhibition

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Protecting the Forest through our planning service Our planning service is a crucial tool in our work to protect and enhance the Forest for future generations and we aim to set the highest bar for development, working within the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework.

Our planning policies are key in protecting the National Park’s special qualities, supporting the local economy and conserving the distinctive New Forest character of our villages and landscape. Fawley power station Ashurst Hospital

Reviewing our planning policies Proposals for Fawley power station site Protecting the A public examination was held into our emerging new Local Western Escarpment Fawley Waterside Ltd has submitted • 1,500 homes (120 within the The proposed development would Plan – which sets out a suite of new planning policies for the Conservation Area outline planning applications National Park boundary) be served by a new access off the to redevelop the former Fawley B3053. Our draft Local Plan supports • 103,000 square metres of National Park. Among many aspects, it considers where and Power Station. some development in the National A steering group made new commercial, civic and Park as part of a comprehensive and how much development should take place within the context The proposals encompass land within employment space up of the NPA and seven integrated approach to redeveloping of a protected landscape. the New Forest District and New Forest • a canal, dock and a boat stack the whole site. Our support is towns and parishes in National Park, separate applications conditional on an exceptionally high The limited development that is planned • allocating a few sites for new will be submitted to both authorities. • community infrastructure the Conservation Area standard of design being secured, for the National Park is focused on housing for the first time since the including a primary school, near Ringwood and Proposals for the former power station the creation of new accessible green meeting the needs of local people, Park was designated in 2005. On public open space and land site include: spaces and net gains for biodiversity. ensuring that the National Park remains these new housing sites we will be Fordingbridge have that would be used to create a living, working landscape. Key seeking a significant proportion of been working to prevent wildlife habitats. proposals in the draft plan include: affordable housing to meet local housing needs. damage to verges. The • restricting the size of new homes verges have a protected to ensure developments address • restricting any developments of identified local needs for smaller one care homes to cater for local people, status and make an Enforcement to three bed properties. rather than external demand. important contribution to Managing new development We rely on the vigilance of the • a small increase in housing • a new policy on major the character of the area. public in letting us know where development from the current development within the National and when development is carried average of around 25 homes a year Park, ensuring a high bar is set and The steering group mapped over The pressure for new development in the National Park out without planning permission. seven miles of verges damaged to 40 per year. Most will be on sites requiring robust justification for remains high and this is reflected in the high number of We investigated around 250 cases by vehicles and shared the which have existing planning consents, any such proposals. planning applications received by our planning team in 2018/19. Government guidance results with the statutory bodies on brownfield sites or ‘windfall’ stresses that enforcement action Government-appointed planning in the New Forest – including – just under 1,000 this year. development which becomes available should only be taken as a last inspectors discussed 14 broad Hampshire County Council, the unexpectedly. resort, so we aim to resolve topic areas at the examination Verderers and Forestry England We are required to meet Government scheme for them and for the Forest. breaches of planning control • a lower site size threshold for in November 2018. – and the group is working with timescales for determining planning This work is supported by a range of new developments (three dwellings through negotiation with property The final Examination hearing session them to address the problems. applications and this year all major supplementary planning documents or more) to make provision for owners. When that isn’t possible was held in March 2019. The Inspectors applications were determined that include a Design Guide and a affordable housing. It also proposes Physical measures such as ‘dragons or appropriate because of the then set out the main modifications by the 13-week deadline and 92 series of Village Design Statements keeping the existing policy that all teeth’ posts have been put in at per cent of all minor applications (prepared by local parish councils). harm being done, we do serve we’re required to make to the Local homes on ‘rural exception’ sites areas including Woodgreen and by the eight-week deadline. As a result, 83 per cent of planning enforcement notices. We took Plan and the consultation on these should be affordable. Broomy Plain and 6,000 copies applications were approved this year. such action in 16 cases this year. modifications ran until the end of May of a leaflet about protecting We encourage all prospective applicants We also monitor some new 2019. We expect to receive the final verges were circulated to to seek pre-application advice before developments to make sure that Inspectors’ report in summer 2019 and households and businesses in a formal application is made, with they are being built in accordance when the final plan is adopted, it will the Conservation Area to raise the aim of getting the best possible with the approved plans. form the basis for all future planning awareness of the issues. decisions within the National Park. 18 19 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 PROTECT

Affordable housing Cherishing our built environment The New Forest housing market makes have now secured planning consent

it difficult for many local people to to build two further affordable homes find affordable homes which will at Burley. allow them to stay in the area. We’re continuing to talk with In 2016 we pioneered an innovative landowners, agents, housing scheme and built two affordable associations and other parish councils, homes at Bransgore which were then such as Copythorne and East Boldre, Proposed affordable let out to local families. Working with a view to bringing more sites closely with Burley Parish Council, we forward for affordable housing. dwellings at Burley HERITAGE COTTS 2018 Protecting buildings at risk Left: Beaulieu ice house during restoration HERITAGE Following a partial survey of the • three listed structures have been COTTS 2018 National Park’s buildings at risk list: removed from the list – two chest Right: Lord Montagu (right) with the tombs within St Michael and All restoration team • 13 extra buildings have been added Angels Churchyard, Lyndhurst, to the list, taking the total to 22 at and an ice house at Beaulieu, risk out of 625 listed buildings in which have all been conserved. the National Park

Tree service highlights Trees play a vital part in the New Forest’s working in the industry. We are now character and communities. Our tree actively promoting measures for team offers advice and support on biosecurity across our organisation. arboricultural matters, gives advice on As in previous years, the team organised planning applications and determines the annual Family Trees event, with tree work applications. In 2018/19 we families celebrating the life of a loved- also provided services to New Forest one and planting a new community District Council and in total we: woodland at Totton.

• dealt with 1,140 tree work applications (604 of these within the National Park boundary)

• made 36 Tree Preservation Orders New visitor centre by Hampshire (10 of these within the National Park County Council at Lepe Country Park boundary) • responded to 638 planning Building Design Awards consultations (245 of these within The winners of the Building Design As part of the Our Past, Our Future are aimed at local agents, builders the National Park boundary). Awards 2019 were announced in scheme, courses in traditional and homeowners and focus on the We also held a training course on pests, March 2019. Awards were given building skills have been well importance of traditional buildings diseases and fungi of trees. Funded to Lepe Country Park visitor centre attended with topics including to the area’s character. The courses by the Our Past, Our Future scheme, and café; a converted chapel in a specialist course on masonry provide practical advice on the the free event was well-received by Woodgreen; Brockenhurst College structure held at Buckler’s Hard and skills required in specialist repair local tree work contractors and others STEM building; and a conservation a course for homeowners held in techniques to help conserve the built Tree canopy at Pondhead Inclosure scheme in the Exbury area. Minstead. The subsidised courses heritage of the National Park.

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AVON PROJECT SERVICES Building Design & Technology 3 Wren Close, Hightown, Ringwood, Hants, BH24 3RF Tel/Fax: 01425 472217 Web: avonserve.com e: [email protected]

AVON PROJECT SERVICES Building Design & Technology 3 Wren Close, Hightown, Ringwood, Hants, BH24 3RF Tel/Fax: 01425 472217 Web: avonserve.com e: [email protected] ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 PROTECT

Horse power hopes Our team had to think differently when we needed to carry out a survey of a sensitive area of heathland at Beaulieu. They were probing a diamond-shaped feature found near East Boldre when airborne laser scans were carried out, which were thought to be the remains of a medieval royal hunting lodge. Usually a vehicle is used to pull a magnetometry cart, which pinpoints sites of past human activity by detecting tiny changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. But as a vehicle could scar the fragile heathland, Jerry the pony was brought in to pull the cart and carry out a more detailed investigation.

Caring for monuments Management plans have been completed for 86 scheduled ancient monuments this year. These have seen work undertaken across 10 sites by Forestry England volunteers including Iron Age hillforts, Bronze Age barrows and Roman pottery kilns.

Meanwhile, historic monuments in the Discovering churchyards at Lyndhurst and Emery Down were more about assessed and repaired under the OPOF scheme, our past including the Jackson Neolithic discovery family memorial. Our archaeology Archaeologists and volunteers found 5,000 years ago. Geophysics an important prehistoric burial site near team not only cares scans showed that there may Beaulieu dating back thousands of years. have been two entrances to the for the National Park A community dig in a field at East End site. So the evidence is strongly but provides services set out to investigate what they thought hinting at a much earlier to Forestry England was a Bronze Age barrow and they were Neolithic monument that was thrilled to find four cremation burial and New Forest urns dating from that period around then re-used in the Bronze Age. District Council. 3,000 years ago. ‘The finds at this site are But as the excavation progressed further, already adding to our We’ve worked on a number there was evidence of human activity of high profile projects this below the level of the urns. knowledge in quite a year, including several which substantial way of the story of have hit the headlines. New Forest National Park Authority people who have lived here in Community Archaeologist James the past – the residents, their Images: Jackson Memorial Brown said: ‘We also found two lives and how they exploited before and after restoration Neolithic flints from around the Forest landscape.’

Image: National Park Community Archaeologist James Brown (centre) unearthing neolithic flints with volunteers Ian Richardson and Sue Pinyoun near Beaulieu. 22 23 ENJOY ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 ENJOY

Responsible dog walking Understanding and caring for the Forest Over 670 dog owners have taken part in ‘Bark Ranger’ activities at 18 events Reducing animal including puppy classes, dog focused accidents events and specialist training sessions. Our People and Wildlife Ranger Dawn A winter campaign to warn Rayment raises awareness of how dog people about animals on the road owners can help care for the environment, was launched which included wildlife, commoners’ animals and other eye-catching signs and a touring Forest users. She took the campaign to ‘display’ of near-life-size animal a national audience, attending Crufts silhouettes. Thousands of cards with Dog Show in Birmingham and the People emergency hotline numbers were and Dogs in the Outdoors Conference. redesigned, printed and distributed. A Professional Dog Walkers’ Charter was developed which sets very high standards Launching a campaign to of operation for the many commercial reduce animal accidents dog walking businesses that operate Responsible dog walking across the Forest. training at Foxbury

The Great British Spring Clean Recreation research An estimated 1,200 people Managing recreation A year of research has been helped clean up the Forest as part consultations and nearly 60 per Future Forest consultation commissioned by six local planning of Keep Britain Tidy’s national cent said they had never taken part authorities and Natural England Great British Spring Clean in The impact Over 1,000 individuals and organisations in a New Forest consultation before. March in a local campaign by the gave their views on how recreation should thanks to a £250,000 grant from National Park Authority, Forestry 1,200 people be managed in and around the New Bruce Rothnie, Deputy Surveyor central Government. The project at Forestry England, said: ‘The England, the Verderers, New joined spring Forest National Park in a consultation held includes face-to-face interviews knowledge and views gathered across the Forest, counts of parked Forest District Council, Hampshire litter picks in summer 2018. County Council and the National from this consultation will help us cars and telephone interviews. The Forestry England, Natural England, Trust. Meanwhile nearly 100 to make the right choices for the results due by the end of 2019 Hampshire County Council, New Forest miles of the 40mph roadsides future benefit of the New Forest.’ should help the authorities to agree District Council and the Verderers asked were litter-picked by contractors. a common approach to mitigating Launching the Great British Spring Clean at the National Park Authority to conduct Waters Green, Brockenhurst the impacts of new housing on the the Future Forest consultation on behalf designated habitats. of the statutory bodies. Protecting rare ground Meanwhile a new study calculates The aim of the consultation was to nesting birds that the New Forest now has over help decide how we should: 15 million recreational visitor days Four seasonal rangers have been • protect the spectacular, yet fragile, each year – up 12% from the last employed in 2019 to raise awareness of wildlife-rich landscape that people study in 2004. the New Forest’s ground nesting birds and come to see how people can help them by keeping Over half (56%) of the New Forest • manage recreation for local people National Park is designated as a themselves and their dogs to the main and visitors tracks during the critical breeding season Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) • use limited resources wisely. of March to July. The roles have been – areas which are protected because made possible thanks to funding from Most of the proposed actions received of their rare habitats and wildlife. NF DOG, Forestry England, developer This is a higher proportion than all Curlew © Mike Read a very high level of support (on average contributions and Camping in the Forest. 78% of people agreed or strongly agreed the nine other English national parks. with them). The figures mean there are more visitor days on protected conservation Keep Your Distance The actions were based on previous area land than any other English feedback and ranged from developing national park. We joined with a number of an agreed New Forest-wide network of organisations to highlight the key visitor sites and core walking and The visitor research by RJS Associates dangers of approaching the cycling routes; to measures to protect was commissioned by the National commoners’ animals and appealed to against specific activities that have impact Park Authority and its partners. It people not to feed or pet them. The on the Forest; and increasing the range predicts that by 2037 there will be partnership also included better ways of initiatives designed to help people over 17 million recreational visitor to record incidents and new signs at understand why the Forest is so special. days a year to the National Park, the campsites and at Hatchet Pond. majority of which are from residents One of the aims of the survey was to and those living close by. hear the views of a wide range of local people and visitors, including people Keep your distance campaign who don’t normally get involved in public 26 27 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 ENJOY

Helping people get outdoors Helping people understand the

Wild play National Park’s special qualities The impact Hundreds of families turned out to wild 52,000 people had play day events in the Forest and on contact with our the coast, giving families confidence to rangers, educators get outdoors and connect with nature through fun activities. A new permanent and concierge wild play site has opened at Sway following last year’s successful launch of the Holbury Manor site. A third wild play site at Ashurst recreation ground is currently being designed and discussed with the local community. A toolkit to help other communities develop wild play sites has been launched on our website.

Wild play at the beach

Healthy walks Walk this way Through the healthy walks The impact More than 1,500 people took part in programme which we support, over over 80 expert led walks during the 400 walkers enjoyed nearly 1,700 1,700 hours of 2018 New Forest Walking Festival. hours of healthy walking activity healthy walks in We launched a new free mobile app this year and eight new volunteer of approved walking routes which 2018/19 walking guides were trained. recorded around 5,000 downloads in the first two months after launch. Celebrating loved-ones at the Family Trees event in Totton

An event for all at Family Trees Almost 200 people planted trees at a new community woodland at Bartley Park, Totton, to celebrate the life of a loved-one. The event took place in National Tree Week and families learnt about the different species they were planting and why they are good for wildlife.

A Year in the Wild Wood BBC Four documentary

© Big Wave Productions BBC Four documentary A Year in the Wild Wood A major new documentary exploring the landscapes, history and wildlife that make the New Forest one of the UK’s most important ancient woodlands aired on BBC Big Pedall ride out inclusive cycling Four in January 2019. PEDALL It was presented by writer and environmentalist Peter Our inclusive cycling initiative now has A total of 2,500 contacts/spaces filled Owen-Jones in collaboration with the National Park a new base at Burley, with a workshop, were recorded in 2018/19 (an individual Authority, Forestry England and the Commoners storage and seating area, thanks to often attends more than one session). Defence Association. building renovation work by volunteers. In an independent survey, all cyclists Crowds enjoy activities ‘A Year in the Wild Wood’ followed a year in the life In total 15 volunteers have been recruited, interviewed said they are doing more PE at the New Forest Show of this special place, meeting many of the people who giving 140 hours of their time this and physical exercise at college or school work to preserve and protect it and captured breath- year. Funded by the National Lottery and are learning more in class since taking images of rare wildlife such as goshawks, once Big Community Fund, the project has cycling with PEDALL. The scheme has Show time in the New Forest almost driven to extinction but now making a comeback exceeded all its targets for working achieved charity status and a Friends of The Future Forest consultation and recreation management was the thanks to conservation work. with young people and so has PEDALL charity has been established to theme behind our stand at this year’s New Forest Show stand. Over expanded to older people and help raise funds. 2,700 people visited us and staff from our partner organisations joined Promotions of the documentary on Facebook saw a those living with dementia. us on the stand to help explain why the work is so important. reach of 300,000 people with 20,000 engagements. 28 29 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 ENJOY

Rough guide to the New Forest for arts Inspiring the next generation organisations 14 people from seven different We are heartened by the number of arts organisations took part in our children and young people who are Educating children and young people discovery day. Participants found out connecting with the National Park A staggering 13,000 children and young people received visits by our who does what in the New Forest and showing their concern about education team this year. The ‘team’ comprises 1.5 full time equivalent posts and also went on a guided walk the environment. with some help from rangers. This included giving assemblies about the at Beaulieu Road sales yard, led dangers of litter to 7,500 children in 34 schools. by Lyndsey Stride of the CDA and From the feedback we receive in formal Richard Daponte of Forestry England. education lessons and visits, to informal We also work with other outdoor educators in and around the National events, involvement in conservation Park. In 2018/19 3,160 children from 60 schools visited 19 New Forest One participant’s feedback was: tasks and engagement on social media education providers. An Educators Forum meeting in March was attended by ‘I learnt more in a day than channels such as Instagram, we are 18 outdoor education organisations. They also provided an outdoor learning I have in the last 25 years working hard to enable children and session for BA Hons Early Childhood students from Brockenhurst College. of being in the New Forest. young people to find out more about The knowledge I gained will the natural world and how they can influence it. mean I will enjoy my time in the Forest even more now.’

A prospective volunteer signs up to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust at the Volunteer Fair The impact Encouraging 150 young people aged 16 – 25 developed volunteering skills, knowledge and confidence A nationwide Year of Green Action to celebrate the 70th anniversary of UK national parks was launched in the New Forest with a record-breaking turnout for the National Park’s volunteer fair. New Forest Youth The fair saw 750 budding volunteers Action Project head to Lyndhurst Community Centre The project was established by us on 27 January to browse hundreds of in 2016 with a range of partners opportunities from 50 local groups, Planting trees with providing outdoor education and making this the most successful fair Foxhills School Ashurst volunteering opportunities in the to date. New Forest. It provides opportunities Our volunteers are vital to much of the spent moving mud and stone!’ for youth organisations working work we undertake in the Forest and he said. ‘You get in touch with the past with 16 to 25 year olds to: we organised or supported over 1,700 and think the last person to pick that up • access unique environments and Photos from left to right: Apprentice rangers volunteer days this year. Conservation was here thousands of years ago.’ landscapes within the National Park Hayden Bridgeman and Jake Barnes doing their volunteers spent the winter restoring Parents and schoolchildren at Foxhills chainsaw training; Apprentice rangers Martyn hedgerows in Linwood, Hyde, North School, Ashurst, joined our volunteer The impact • develop skills, knowledge and Meaker & Peter Dovey working at Lepe Country Gorley and Blissford by planting up gaps, event, working together to create experience in conservation and Apprentice rangers Park sensory garden. over 750 potential weeding the hedges and putting up woodland trackways and cut back trees land management Martyn Meaker, one of our apprentice Our current apprentices Jake and deer fencing. On our woodland sites in volunteers turned up which were crowding out the meadow. • carry out practical work to rangers for 2017/18, won Kingston Hayden have been working with the Bramshaw, Bransgore and Walhampton to the Volunteer Fair help maintain habitats and Maurward College’s award for partner organisations involved in our a huge reduction in rhododendron To celebrate the Year of Green Action, a eco-systems for the benefit best ‘Intermediate Environmental apprenticeship scheme, including removed by volunteers has encouraged ‘Green Action Grant’ fund was launched of people and wildlife Conservation Apprentice 2018’ and the chainsaw and pesticide use training at plants to thrive, with bluebells coming and 44 schools were successful in their bids for grants to carry out a small project award of ‘Best Apprentice of the Year’. a placement with Hampshire & Isle of up in spring. • learn, enjoy and achieve in a He was presented with the award by our Wight Wildlife Trust at Blashford Lakes. to improve or enhance the environment. dynamic and informal setting. Meanwhile our archaeology volunteers Other Year of Green Action initiatives Chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre at a They then moved on to the National have been out in all weathers, including include litter assemblies for local schools, Over 150 young people have full Authority meeting. Meanwhile the Trust, getting involved in winter habitat a dig at East End near Beaulieu. Ian screenings of the film ‘A Plastic Ocean’ benefited from 60 sessions given by other 2017/18 apprentice Pete Dovey management work, leading volunteer Richardson, from Poole, said the to encourage people to reduce their the partners this academic year. went on to find employment work parties and joining teams from volunteers were fascinated to see what plastic use and the launch of a 2019 with Forestry England. National Trust estates in Purbeck and the site revealed. ‘It is always good to ‘Wasted’ Film Competition about all Mottisfont. find something when the day has been forms of waste. 30 31 PROSPER

New Forest Marque hamper ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 PROSPER

Green Halo The future of farming post-Brexit conference 2018 delegates Left to right: Alison Barnes, NFNPA; Lord Manners, We attend New Forest Future Head Verderer; Tracey Foster, Ed Barker and Daniel Jones of Defra; Tony Hockley, Commoners Farming Group meetings to The impact Defence Association work with other partners 70 organisations towards understanding attended the Green and preparing for the new Halo conference agricultural policy, schemes and legislation which Defra is currently working on.

This includes working with Robert Deane, of Rural Focus Ltd, to complete a report on the New Forest’s natural capital, similar to a report he has completed for Exmoor National Park to map ecosystem services. We hosted senior officials from Defra (Director of Natural Environment and Year of Green Action lead), introducing them to the New Forest and our work with key Forest organisations. The Green Halo Partnership

A partnership looking to boost the health bodies, universities and Gary Wilburn of HPW Architects spoke natural environment by putting civil engineering firms among the about projects which included nature Launching a Forestry Accord it at the heart of decisions about organisations signed up so far. as part of development – from small the environment, economy and initiatives to multi-million pound A national Forestry Accord between We already work closely with and providing them with archaeology This year’s conference hosted several communities marked its first anniversary regeneration schemes. In each case Forestry England and National Parks Forestry England on a range of services. We have identified local representatives from the Department in November. recognising the place of natural capital England was launched at the New issues – recreation management, opportunities to further strengthen for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs helped create attractive and sustainable Forest Show 2018 by National Parks communications and events, the joint working in the year ahead. One of the first of its kind in the UK, (Defra), including Green Finance Team schemes which offered more than Minister Lord Gardiner. Higher Level Stewardship scheme the Green Halo Partnership brings Programme Manager Daniel Barwick. simple commercial benefit. Gary together organisations from across Daniel discussed Defra’s work to Planting a tree at the New Forest Show ground to mark the launch of the Forestry suggested the Green Halo offered a central southern England to protect and ensure natural capital is embedded in Accord between Forestry England and National Parks England vehicle for sharing good practice and enhance our ‘natural capital’. This is the policy making across all government implementing these ideas closer term given to the benefits we derive departments. He said: ‘Everyone across to home. from nature such as clean air and water, society has to play a part in trying to protection from flooding, food and improve the natural environment within We have continued to promote the healthy outdoor activities. a generation… National parks are an Green Halo Partnership to government exemplar of driving the natural capital as one means by which the ambitions The partnership focusses its work across approach at a local level.’ of the 25 Year Environment Plan can be four themes: delivered here in Hampshire. Several of those who have been part of • Enhancing the natural environment the Partnership over our first year spoke In February we hosted a visit by Edward • Supporting the local economy about their experience of working on Barker, Director of Natural Environment the themes. Amanda Glenn from West at Defra. In March Chief Executive • Improving health and wellbeing Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Alison Barnes met with Dieter Helm, • Encouraging sustainable living. Group and Sophie Burton from Energise Chair of the Natural Capital Committee Me shared how the Green Halo has which advises government on the More than 70 representatives from brought organisations together to sustainable use of natural capital. dozens of Green Halo partner raise awareness of how the natural organisations attended a conference Meetings have also been held with environment can improve people’s at Ordnance Survey, Southampton in representatives of the Solent Local physical and mental health. November 2018 to mark a successful Economic Partnership as work begins on first year. They spoke about a number of small developing the Local Industrial Strategy. local initiatives including allotments The partnership has received A Green Halo website has been for those living with dementia. The wide-ranging support over the last launched at greenhalo.org.uk. Partnership offered a way of bringing 12 months, with architects, wildlife people together to develop ideas and charities, councils, utility businesses, promote activity.

34 35 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 PROSPER

New Forest National Park Awards New Forest Tour at Lyndhurst recognise the best of the Forest Passion for local produce, contributions presented at a special ceremony at the • Sustainability Champion – Gemma to the commoning community and a New Forest and Hampshire County Wilks, Ban the Straw New Forest talent for inspiring young people about Show. The prizes were handed over by • Rural Diversification – New Forest sustainability were the recipe for success National Parks Minister Lord Gardiner, Shepherds’ Huts at this year’s CLA and New Forest Julian Lewis MP and National Park • Land Management – Milford National Park Authority awards. Authority Chief Executive Alison Barnes. Conservation Volunteers and Milford A new category of land managers The winners of the 2018 awards were: on Sea Parish Council. was introduced this year. The awards • Young Farmer/Commoner of the Year recognise the best of the New Forest’s – Tom Hordle rural businesses, organisations, land • Best Supporter of Local Produce – managers and champions and were Andrew Parry-Norton Award winners 2018 (l-r): CLA South East Regional Director Robin Edwards; young commoner Tom Hordle and his partner Adele Colton; New Forest National Park Authority Chief Executive Alison Barnes; commoners Andrew and Sarah Parry-Norton; National Parks Minister Lord Gardiner; New Forest Show President Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre; Gemma Wilks, Ban the Straw New Forest; Jenna Bessant, New Forest Shepherds’ Huts; Tony Locke and David Horne, Milford Conservation Volunteers; and Julian Lewis MP. © Craig Hobbs. Encouraging people to travel sustainably

The New Forest Tour helped over 40,000 operates from July to September, saw Our travel concierges, based at people to leave their cars behind and an 11% increase in revenue and 15% Brockenhurst Station and in Lyndhurst, discover the National Park on our open increase in patronage on the previous helped over 9,300 people with visitor top buses with audio commentary and year. It saved an estimated 261,000 and sustainable travel information – up discounts to attractions. The Tour, which private car miles. 5% on last year.

Promoting local produce

The New Forest Marque is awarded Five Marque members were to produce which has been grown, winners in the prestigious reared, caught, brewed, produced or Great Hampshire Sausage and processed within the New Forest. The Pie Competition: local produce scheme currently has • A Pinch of Salt Curing Company ‘I am incredibly privileged 152 members including food and drink • New Pastures Butchers to be appointed producers, crafts businesses and the hospitality and retail outlets which offer • Roy Hunt Produce as the new Chair Marque produce. • T Bartlett & Son of such a fantastic organisation. There’s a We help the Marque with funding and • The Farmers’ Butcher. wealth of skill across the business support to promote sustainable Marque members were finalists in local business which supports the New every category in the 2018 New Forest Forest region, a rich variety Forest environment. Brilliance in Business Awards, with three of incredible members and Landford village signs taking home prizes: a team of great people A village in the north of the New Forest location and include the New Forest local community with help from our • Court House Catering at the organisation to National Park has unveiled new signs at National Park logo. The aim is to Landscape Officer Sarah Kelly. • New Forest Tartan work with – I can’t wait to get started!’ four key locations. remind road users that they are within Left to right: Geoff Chase (Landford • The Sett. a national park and should drive The signs in Landford, Wiltshire, are Community Partnership LCP), David Wilson Dan Parsons, New Forest carefully to help protect this special (Chairman of LCP), Keith Cameron (LCP), Winchester-based company director Dan designed to complement the rural place. The project was driven by the Ken Parker (Co-Chair of LCP), Sarah Kelly Parsons has recently been appointed as Marque chairman (New Forest National Park Authority) the new chairman. 36 37 ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE

The Partnership Plan group visit Lepe Country Park ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE

Championing the National Park Providing Hurst Castle Government’s Protected Landscapes ‘Glover’ Review expertise The 25 Year Environment Plan, We continue to provide published by government in 2018, an archaeology advice included a commitment to conduct service to Forestry an independent review of England’s England. Management national parks and Areas of Outstanding advice has been Natural Beauty (AONBs). The Review, provided on over 25 led by a panel chaired by writer Julian Forestry England sites Glover, is considering the role of these during the year and areas in the 21st Century and will make management plans have recommendations on: been produced for 100 • the statutory purposes for national Scheduled Monuments We also submitted a bid to Leader funding parks and AONBs and how effectively to meet Historic England Raising funds for access improvements to Hurst Castle and they are being met requirements. should hear in June if it has been approved. • the alignment of these purposes We successfully for the Forest Working with the RSPB, we submitted a bid with the goals set out in the re-tendered to continue for £200,000 to the National Grid Landscape 25 Year Environment Plan to provide ecology and We are proud of our track record on Enhancement Initiative for improvements to archaeology services Franchises Lodge nature reserve. • the case for extension or creation to New Forest District leveraging funding for the Forest. For every Julian Glover tries bikes at £1 we spend, we produce on average £13 of of new designated areas Cyclexperience Brockenhurst Council. During the year We and other UK national parks set up value for the Forest, helping to protect and • how to improve individual and the Council decided National Parks Partnerships Ltd to work with enhance the National Park. collective governance of national parks understanding of the complexities of We also called on the Review to: to bring the trees and corporate sponsors. We received our first and AONBs, and how that governance the New Forest. The panel held a ‘call building design services We and a partnership of New Forest District funding from Forest Holidays which will enable • restate the importance of the National interacts with other national assets for evidence’ public consultation in that we had been Council and arts organisations under the more schools to undertake educational visit Park Partnership Plan and ensure the December. In our response we made the providing back in-house. banner Folio submitted a bid for £1.3m to Arts to the Forest. We provided marketing support • the financing of national parks delivery of the plan is enshrined in following key points: Council England to work with disadvantaged for campaigns with Columbia outdoor gear, and AONBs law, policy and practice to secure the groups in the New Forest through art. We will which provides our ranger uniforms. 1. National parks should be better places commitment of all parties • how to enhance the environment and hear if we’ve been successful in August 2019. for nature, connected through wildlife biodiversity in existing designations • enable national parks to be exemplars corridors to each other and resilient to of delivery of the 25 Year Environment • how to build on the existing 8-point climate change Plan, conferring on park authorities plan for national parks and to Our staff 2. Future farming and land management the appropriate powers and resources connect more people with the natural schemes should be designed to help to meet this expectation. Our values Developing a People Plan Encouraging environment from all sections of deliver national park aims society and improve health We are hopeful that the Review will Our values help shape our culture All staff have been considering sustainable living and wellbeing 3. National parks and the NHS should inspire a renewed sense of joint mission and reflect our principles, standards organisational development during A staff swap shop was held to form a strong new partnership and purpose amongst the communities and ways of working. They can be the year and have helped develop exchange books, CDs and unwanted • how well national parks and AONBs to improve people’s health and and partners of the New Forest National summarised as PACT: a People Plan which was officially gifts. A large amount of toiletries was support communities. wellbeing Park and recognise the experience and Purpose – we are dedicated to our work launched at an all-staff meeting in donated by staff to the charity Trinity We hosted a visit by the Review skills we can offer to enable society at February. Certain actions have been which supports homeless and vulnerable 4. Every child should have the Achievement – we innovate, chairman Julian Glover and panel large to benefit from access to nature. prioritised and are included in the people. The Ride to Work Week was opportunity to visit a national park inspire and deliver success member Sarah Mukherjee in October 2019/20 work programme. promoted to staff. during their time at school. The panel is due to report to Care – we strive to be sustainable 2018. They met a large number government in autumn 2019. in all we do of stakeholders and gained an Teamwork – we work together with openness, integrity and respect. BBC Countryfile 70th Partnership Plan anniversary programme The Partnership Plan for the National Staff discovery days We approached Countryfile to Park is the strategic document in All staff are invited to join our ‘discovery feature the debate about the which all organisations with a remit days’ – a half day out of the office in future of national parks as part of for caring for the Forest set out their June to mix with other people from the 70th anniversary programme. joint actions for managing the area. other parts of the organisation in an Chief Executive Alison Barnes was The current Partnership Plan is up informal setting and find out what interviewed about the balance for review in 2020 so we hosted a other teams do. Discovery days this year between people enjoying the partners’ event to visit some of the included a guided walk with the RSPB National Park and protecting the existing projects and discuss how the and Land Advice Service at Franchises environment and the programme next Plan would be taken forward. Lodge nature reserve and a discover the Filming with BBC Countryfile was broadcast on 16 April. media session with the communications National Park Authority and the ranger unit at Wilverley team at Lepe. ranger team 2018

40 41 ANNUAL REVIEW 2018-19 ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE

Financial Information

Following a number of years of We received around: 2018-19 Net Expenditure significant reductions, for the past three years our core grant £3.196m from Defra from Defra has been ‘protected’, £396,000 in statutory fees for planning which includes a 1.7% inflation- 14% offsetting increase (equating to and related applications Corporate and £54,000). £355,000 for shared services with other local Democratic Core We have continued to seek authorities (trees, ecology, rangers, £484,000 cost efficiencies where possible and sought ways to increase archaeology, building conservation & design, 14% effectiveness in the work we comms, administration) Forward Planning do. We continue to generate and Communities substantial external partnership £34,000 grants related to the planning service £488,000 funding to further services and £14,000 on our investments 14% delivery. On average every £1 Promoting we contribute to joint projects £16,000 in other income generated (such as talks, Understanding generates a further £13 from guided walks, New Forest Tour advertising £499,000 partner organisations. and charging for expert advice) 3% Rangers, Estates Significant external funding totalling and Volunteers £1.2m was secured for the Forest, including: £115,000 £734,000 Our Past, Our Future: Landscape 9% Partnership Scheme Recreation Management and £91,000 PEDALL Transport £307,000 £45,000 Higher Level Stewardship Scheme 17% Development £69,000 New Forest Land Advice Service Control* £584,000

Plus many more smaller projects… 11% Conservation of Cultural Heritage £370,000

18% Conservation of the Natural Environment £647,000

*Also includes enforcement and the tree service

42 43 Contact us We welcome your views and comments about This document is available this Annual Review or any other aspect of our performance or services. For regular updates, in other formats such as please sign up to our email newsletter at newforestnpa.gov.uk large print, Braille, or any alternative language. Write to us at: New Forest National Park Authority Lymington Town Hall With thanks to photographers Nick Lucas Avenue Road and Matt Roseveare for supporting our Lymington work with free images. Hampshire SO41 9ZG flickr.com/nicklucas mattrphotography.co.uk Call 01590 646600

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