UK Park Status for New Forest Challenged
10/4/99
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Title: UK Park Status for New Forest Challenged
Source: Environment News Service
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: October 4, 1999
LONDON, UK, October 4, 1999 (ENS) - First steps towards designation
of the New Forest and the South Downs as National Parks were
announced Thursday by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
The proposed two new National Parks would bring the number of
National Parks in England and Wales to 12. The total area being
considered for designation amounts to almost 2,000 square kilometres
(772 square miles).
Prescott said, "We have been looking carefully at what needs to be
done to ensure the protection and good management of these areas for
the next 50 years. I have now asked the Countryside Agency to
consider designating a New Forest National Park and, in consultation
with local authorities, a National Park in the South Downs."
Environment Minister Michael Meacher said a new set of laws will be
tabled in Parliament to protect more of the UK's most beautiful
woodlands. "We also intend to do more to conserve and enhance the
very varied collection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which
are equal in terms of landscape significance to the National Parks.
We will very shortly be providing details of a new series of measures
to this end."
Most of the New Forest is already a Site of Special Scientific
Interest, a Special Protection Area for Birds classified under the
European Union's Birds Directive, a Wetland of International
Importance in accordance with the Ramsar Convention, and is a
candidate for special listing under the European Union Habitats
Directive.
English Nature, a nationwide conservation organization, warns that
standard National Park legislation does not give enough emphasis to
the conservation of the natural heritage of the New Forest.
The New Forest is a unique place where history, culture and wildlife
are intimately entwined; where modern living and ancient traditions
co-exist under a complex web of legislation, says Dr. Derek Langslow,
chief executive of English Nature.
The New Forest has been managed following the same principles for
over 900 years and the continual exercise of commoners rights
including the grazing of ponies, pigs and cattle has contributed to
the New Forest's very special place in England's wildlife heritage.
It is internationally important for habitats such as ancient
woodland, heathland, mires and other wetland areas, and the species
that live there. These include rare birds such as Dartford warbler,
nightjar and woodlark and insects such as the southern damselfly and
stag beetle.
English Nature has been calling for tailor made legislation for a New
Forest National Park which would build upon, rather than replace, the
current mechanisms which it says are working well. The New Forest's
wildlife is internationally recognised. English Nature believes that
any new arrangements must ensure that the conservation of its natural
heritage remains the pre-eminent objective above all others.
Dr. Langslow, said, "Unfortunately setting up a standard National
Park Authority will exclude several key New Forest Committee members
and this is something we must avoid at all costs. Given the
importance of the New Forest it is essential that we create a special
solution to ensure that nature conservation interests continue to
play a key role in the its future."