RESIDENTS are invited to comment on draft plans to both protect the New Forest and cater for people enjoying the area.

The second stage of the Future Forest consultation runs for eight weeks until August 12.

The proposals have been designed to update the actions in the existing Recreation Management Strategy while also:

n Protecting the wildlife-rich landscape that people come to see

n Managing recreation for local people and visitors

n Using limited resources wisely

Feedback received from the first round of consultation last year helped create seven distinct objectives for managing recreation in the New Forest.

Now residents' views are wanted on how to put these into practice with a set of 25 draft actions.

Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, chairman of New Forest National Park Authority, said: "All the main organisations tasked with looking after the Forest are supporting this process and have recognised that it’s time to take bold steps to ensure the New Forest survives for future generations to enjoy.

Our joint aim is to achieve a net environmental gain for the Forest, we are taking the long-term view on this."

For more information and to complete the survey go to www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/futureforest