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 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved New Forest National Park Authority. Licence 1000114703, 2014. 6 7 PROTECT 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.