27-05-2025
Campsite's smoky fire pits make our lives ‘misery', claim villagers
The homeowner added that Harry's Field is 'detested' by many locals, who 'dread the campsite opening as it makes their lives a misery'.
He said: 'I believe that three residents have sold up and moved away largely because this campsite had made their lives intolerable. Noise, shouting, loud music, excessive smoke and anti-social behaviour being the main causes.'
Earlier this month, the residents won a planning battle to stop the site increasing the number of days it is allowed to open from 28 to 52 yearly.
The campsite rents out fire pits to guests, costing £15 for one night, £20 for two nights, £25 for three nights, and £30 for four nights. Campers are provided with one load of kiln-dried wood, but are charged £8 a bucket afterwards.
Concerns for health and home
Helen Taylor, a vet, lives right next to Harry's Field and says she has been 'plagued' by problems caused by the site, which was once voted in the Top 40 UK campsites.
She said open fires, as well as gas and charcoal barbecues are used by campers daily.
Dr Taylor added: 'Residents have suffered significant worsening of their asthmatic symptoms as a result of this smoke pollution.'
Another villager, who lives in a thatched cottage, raised concerns for her health and home in her objection to the planning application made to the New Forest Park Authority.
She said she has to keep her windows shut in the summer, adding: 'We have smelt accelerant being used to light fire pits and we can see the flames through the hedge.
'My insurance company won't allow me to have any type of open fire in my garden as my property has a thatched roof, and yet I can watch ash and burning debris being blown towards my property when the wind is in my direction.'
'Many neighbours support our campsite'
A spokesman for the campsite said: 'Sadly, these are totally unsubstantiated, unevidenced and hysterical claims. Our closest neighbour to the campsite has a thatched roof and supports our application (there are no other thatched roofs within close proximity of the site at all). Many in the village also support our small and well-run campsite.
'Initially, the head of the parish council told us they could not foresee any issues as any complaints had been whipped up during the Covid years … We have had no complaints from neighbours, or from the parish council or from any environmental body.'
Ms Sheriff, whose celebrity clients include the Princess of Wales, said the business would not be able to operate if what the neighbours complained of was true.
The 60-year-old added: 'The main fact is nobody wants a quiet campsite more than we do.
'There is no way we would be able to run if what [neighbours] were saying is true.
'We were asked and encouraged to do this by the director of the national park planning team.
'This has been stormed up by a few people who have really got an axe to grind.'
