New Forest (Hansard, 10 April 2002)

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many representations have been received regarding the inclusion of(a)Fordingbridge and (b)Milford on Sea within the designated boundary for the proposed New Forest national park. [46265]

§ Alun Michael
As at 26 March, 46 representations have been received regarding the inclusion of Fordingbridge within the boundary of the proposed New Forest national park and 54 on the inclusion of Milford on Sea.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her procedure and timetable for designating the New Forest as a national park. [46266]

§ Alun Michael
The New Forest National Park (Designation) Order 2002 was submitted by the Countryside Agency to the Secretary of State in late February and was on deposit for public comment until 25 March. The objections and representations received are being considered and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide shortly whether or not to confirm the Order or to call a public inquiry. If the Order were confirmed, it would take about a year to establish a national park authority. If a public inquiry were called, this would start in the autumn. Depending on the length of the inquiry, it could be 2004 before the Order was confirmed and 2005 before a national park authority was set up.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to designate the New Forest as access land within the terms of the provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. [46264]
282W

§ Alun Michael
I understand that the Countryside Agency expects to issue a draft map of open country and registered common land for the south of England, including the New Forest, later this year. Following consultation on the draft map, the agency will issue provisional and then conclusive maps. Part of the New Forest will be land to which there is an existing right of access under section 193 of the Law of Property Act 1925: the new right under the 2000 Act will not apply to such land. The Forestry Commission has already announced its intention in principle to dedicate the national forestry estate under section 16 of the 2000 Act.