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Preparing for the plan
A report to the New Forest National Park Authority said that a new management plan was required by March 31 2009.
The NPA agreed to use the Countryside Agency's Strategy for the New Forest as an interim plan and produce a State of the Park report to give an overall indication of what issue the management plan would need to tackle. -
Involving the community
The NPA agrees that "the Plan process, although led by the National Park Authority, should directly involve and achieve ownership of the range of organisations and communities with an interest in the area". -
Be ambitious
A preliminary meeting agrees that that the final Plan should:
Be a relatively short, strategic document, clearly integrating related topic areas;
Have a strong %u2018New Forest%u2019 feel and identity;
Be evidence-based; and
Inspire change through ambitious policies for the National Park. -
"Involve the community"
In a report to the NPA updating progress on the management plan, Nick Evans, Senior Planning Officer, says: There is likely to be a high level interest from a range of stakeholder and partner organisations, and it is essential they are fully involved.
"Every effort should be made to include interests which traditionally have been less involved in the decision-making process (young people, disability and ethnic minority groups, coastal interests and visitors)." -
Workshops
The NPA holds workshops throughout 2007 in preparation for drawing up the plan. 71 organisations took part in 'New Forest, New Chapter' events. -
A 100-year plan
The NPA discusses woodland, coastal access and village development plans.
The NPA is told that there is a great deal of work to be done to ensure the Crown Lands area of the Forest are classified at 'favourable condition' as required under the national Forest Design Plan.
It agrees that work needs to be done to encourage more 'traditional woodland' but argues for the protection of some conifer woodland as wildlife habitat. -
The first draft
NPA members approve an intial draft of the Park Plan with some small changes.
The Forestry Commission, Natural England and the Verderers all agree to support the plan as a consultation document. -
The National Park Plan
In a report to members, the NPA announces it is bringing the Management Plan and the government-required Local Development Framework into one plan, called the Park Plan.
The plan is released to NPA members and the report says it will go out for a 10-week consultation. Read the plan in full here -
Protest begins
New Forest residents form the Forest Uprising group and demand a copy of the plan from the NPA.
The NPA issues a press release about the plan and makes a link to it available online. -
The petition is launched
The first petition is launched against the plan -
The first public meeting
The first public meeting is held at Boldre. 250 people turn up despite only three days notice being given. -
Public opposition
The New Forest Equestrian Association objects object to the proposals, which they describe as "draconian measures" because of regulations governing the keeping of horses and ponies for recreational use.
They include the need for planning permission. -
Forest Uprising
It is standing room only at a meeting to discuss the proposals.
Horse owners have formed the Forest Uprising group and call the plans 'patronising and insulting'.
See video from the meeting here Visit Forest Uprising's website here -
Opposition grows
Dog owners and drivers join the fight against the plans, which would also see dogs banned from some car parks and could include charges for driving on some roads. Read more here -
Rallying support
Plans are formed for a rally at Wilverley Plain on October 4. Among those joining the protests are the New Forest Dog Owners Association, the AA, the New Forest Equestrian Association and MP Desmond Swayne.
A new New Forest? -
Hundreds turn out for rally
750 protesters stage a demonstration on Wilverley Plain.
Leaders of Forest Uprising said they could decide to mount a legal challenge to the proposals and launched a 50,000 fighting fund. See video and read the full report here -
Naturalist Chris Packham defends the plan
Environmentalist Chris Packham says he thinks the proposals in the plan are necessary to preserve species. "Some of the attitudes are somewhat misguided."
"We're trying to advise people how to minimise their impact on the area they know and love.
"If we don't do anything we will lose the species."
Protesters are 'misguided', says Chris Packham -
NPA members live outside forest
Two-thirds of the members of the National Park Authority don't live in it, it is revealed.
Anger bout 'live away' Forest panel -
Protesters issue call to Verderers
CAMPAIGNERS have pleaded with guardians of the New Forest to back them in a fight against plans for the future of the National Park.
Horse owners cram the Verderers%u2019 Court in Lyndhurst to beg the 'guardians of the Forest' to help them.
'Why won't you help us?' Who are the Verderers? -
Did NPA changes plans after consultation?
Dog owners accuse the NPA of changing parts of the plan that had been agreed at stakeholder meetings.
They say 'light touch' plans have been replaced with an proscriptive approach. New row over proposals -
County council hits back at 'quango'
Hampshire County Council's cabinet says the NPA is %u201Cunelected, unrepresentative, unaccountable and a government quango%u201D.
Its official response to the plans says: %u201CThe National Park Authority does not appear to have enough knowledge of the area to make the judgements that it is. "
Council hits back -
Protesters march on Lymington
Armed with more than 7,000 signatures, a group of campaigners %u2013 some on horseback and others walking dogs %u2013 marched to the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) headquarters near Lymington. Police halted traffic while placard-waving protesters gathered to make their voices heard.
See video of the protests here
