Over recent months, a national tender process has been underway to find a new operator for Forestry England campsites across England, including those here in the New Forest. For the New Forest campsites specifically, The New Forest Agricultural Show Society – through their trading company Camping in the New Forest Ltd – have been selected to move forward to the next stage and enter formal contract negotiations. Forestry England hope to be in a position to formally appoint them during October.
This information was included in the Official Verderer’s announcements at the meeting of the Verderers Court on 21st September; and Friends of the New Forest made the following Presentment during the meeting.
Presentment to the Court of Verderers – 21st September 2022
For some time our Association has been engaged in an ongoing correspondence with Forestry England head Office about various legal issues relating to the creation and management of Forestry England New Forest campsites; and the current process of re-tendering for their future management.
In addition and separate to these concerns, I am able to say that we fully support the views just expressed by Official Verderer in his announcement on this subject at the beginning of this meeting. (I might add that I should also say that I was pleased to hear what the Deputy Surveyor said about the future of New Forest campsites).
We hope that entering a new period of campsite management with a local organisation – The New Forest Agricultural Show Society – through their trading company Camping in the New Forest Ltd – will be an opportunity for a much needed a fresh start without any legacy legal problems from the present arrangements.
And that this will allow the creation of a new strategy for the location and management of Forestry England campsites, so that visitors may enjoy a rewarding New Forest holiday experience, while at the same time ensuring that the habitats and landscapes of the Forest and commoning are fully protected.
We look forward to participating with the New Forest Show Society and Forestry England to achieve this.
John Ward – Chairman: Friends of the New Forest
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