Agenda item

To receive an update on the work carried out in relation to the visitors of the New Forest.

The Panel received a presentation on the New Forest Visitor Study from the Senior Policy Planner. The main points of the presentation were as follows:

·       The issue of visits on the New Forest protected habitats and species as a result of new residential development from areas surrounding the New Forest was focused as a key concern. Members were reminded that the protection of the New Forest Nature Conservation Sites sits within the Planning framework through the provision of mitigation projects funded by new development. The Council have had policies in place to address this since 2014 and the Local Plan Part 1, adopted in 2020, sets out the broad approach that will be applied to residential development in order to secure appropriate mitigation.

·       A telephone survey with occupiers of properties within 25km of the New Forest designated sites was undertaken and results showed that 70% of those surveyed had visited the New Forest in the last 12 months.

·       In addition to the telephone survey, a number of report updates had been written.

·       The telephone survey found that walking was by far the most popular recreational activity for visitors to the Forest.

·       Parking locations in central tourist areas were usually filled closer to capacity than other carpark locations elsewhere, of which there are 270.

·       The New Forest Visitor Survey of 2018/2019 summarised the 5000+ interviews across 60 car park locations and other access points. 55% of the interviewees were dog walkers or just walking.

·       Dog walking was highlighted as a popular activity, and the interviews found that the majority of dog walking takes place on the periphery of the New Forest.

·       The waterside areas received more visitors on average than elsewhere in the District. The frequency rates of visits were higher for the Waterside too, with many people returning their often more than once in a day, daily or most days. 

·       Overall footfall within the New Forest designated sites was between 5-6 million visitors per year.

·       Visits to the National Park total around 15 million per annum. This figure is up by 12.4% since 2004.

·       Estimates suggest that up to 130,000 new dwellings may be built within 25km of the New Forest by 2036, representing a 16.4% increase. Research predicted that this would result in an increase of 11.4% in the number of visits to the New Forest.

·       The New Forest ‘Zone of Influence’ report was commissioned in 2021 which used research from the initial findings to define a catchment area within which new development would likely have a ‘significant’ impact on the designated sites due to visitor pressure.

·       The range of potential impacts from the projected increase in visitors to the New Forest, stemming from the planned new development in the wider area, includes: disturbance, fire, contamination, trampling/wear, harvesting, grazing and visitor expectation.

·       A variety of avoidance and mitigation measures are identified, and the report recommends that a strategic, proportionate and co-ordinated approach be developed requiring the partnership of work across the range of local authorities and stakeholders.

·       The continuation of joint working to progress this strategic approach to mitigation is reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding. A consistent methodology for Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) for Councils within the Zone of Influence will be sustained, an example of this will be the provision of alternative recreational greenspaces.

·       Rangers would rotate around designated car parks to remind members of the public about certain impacts on these areas and the aim was for there to be clear and consistent signage in high-visitation areas.