Latest news with #NewForestNationalParkAuthority
BBC News
20-05-2025
- BBC News
Illegal New Forest campers fined as police issue fire warning
Illegal campers in a national park who started what police described as a "large" camp fire have been were discovered at the Parc Pale car park just outside Lyndhurst in the New Forest on Monday. Officers from Hampshire police and Forestry England have issued a warning about the dangers of starting fires in the forest.A statement on social media said: "A fine was issued under the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that is in place across the forest banning all open fires and BBQs." The statement continued: "It is important that everyone knows how dangerous lighting fires is especially at the moment when the forest is so dry."Fire crews in the south of England have been tackled a number of wildfires over the weekend after a period of prolonged dry said cannabis was also found in the camper's car that was seized and destroyed. In 2023, a PSPO was introduced by New Forest National Park Authority to protect wildlife and prevent in breach can be handed a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or fined up to £1,000 if the case goes to were introduced after Forestry England reported barbecues and campfires were "happening continuously and repeatedly" in the New ForestThe police warning comes as the UK is experiencing the driest spring on record, with Hampshire seeing 20% of the average rainfall since the beginning of Saturday Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service was called to a woodland blaze at Bransgore in the New Forest which engulfed a hectare (2.5 acres) of heathland and was the latest in a series of wildfires that have hit Dorset and Hampshire during the past two months. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Accessible trail opens at site of famous New Forest tree
A newly upgraded and accessible trail has opened at the site of the Knightwood Oak. The Knightwood Oak, located between Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, is the largest oak tree in the New Forest, with a girth of 7.4 metres, and is more than 500 years old. The beauty spot has been upgraded with accessibility in mind. Forestry England's team has resurfaced the car park and previous trail to ensure a flat and even surface suitable for mobility vehicles and pushchairs. Two fully accessible parking spaces are available in the car park and new picnic benches have been placed on the trail. The team has also been working around the boundary of this very special tree removing overgrown and encroaching vegetation and adding new signage and information explaining the history of this mighty tree. The work was funded by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) through a £50,000 grant from Defra's Access for All fund as part of the NPA's ongoing commitment to ensuring the National Park is accessible to all. Richard Burke, recreation manager for Forestry England, said: "The Knightwood Oak is one of the New Forest's most famous and much-loved trees. "This additional funding has allowed us to ensure that everyone can access this special place."
