NEW FOREST

Evening Star, Issue 23352, 23 August 1939, Page 16

NEW FOREST

Plans for the preservation of the New Forest—it is described as “ a miraculous survival in the twentieth century of part of. pre-Norman England ” —are set out in a report issued by a widely representative committee appointed to consider the problem (says the ‘ Daily Telegraph and Morning Post ’). The committee included representatives of the Ministry of Health, Forestry Commission, Hampshire County Council, Bournemouth, Lyraington, Christchurch, and the Southern Hampshire, and New Forest Joint Planning Committees. Their main suggestions are:— Control of population: Limit to the number of houses in forest villages. Control of roads: Restriction of certain roads to forest traffic; “ improvement ” of existing roads to be delayed as long as possible; a speed limit. Restriction of holiday camps. Control of advertisements. L’etrol pumps to be unobstrusive in design and colour. . A permanent joint body of control appointed by all the local authorities concerned. Discussing what had to be preserved, the committee refers to the ponies and the commoners’ animals ns among “ the actual architects of the characteristic scenery, of the forest.” The committee discusses also the developments of Southampton and Lymington in relation to the forest. The report says;— Southampton; Some degree of the town’s development is necessary. The land west of Southampton Water ought not to he allowed to develop like a typical nineteenth century dockland area. Lymington: This borough is well adapted to the needs of retired people and summer visitors who appreciate quiet surroundings. Visitors whose main delight is in mechanical amusements are foreign to the natural character of the place. Amusement parks, dog racing tracks, and similar undertakings should be lorbidden. It is added that the demand for these diversions could he met by the development of an amusement park at Netlcv on the far side of Southampton Water, nr an amusement park immediately to the north of Hythe. With regard ■to Bournemouth, the view is held that something might he done towards reducing the number of visitors to the forest by p, oviding nearer to the town an expanse of iieathcrliind which would attract many picnickers.