VOCIFEROUS opponents of the New Forest National Park Authority's long term strategy for the area have got it all wrong, according to international environmentalist Chris Packham.

The television naturalist volunteered to talk on behalf of the NPA after learning of the growing opposition to the draft recreation management strategy and draft consultation documents.

Members of New Forest Dog Owners' Group and equestrian enthusiasts who feel their ways of life are going to be threatened are up in arms at some of the proposals.

Dog owners are opposed to the idea of canine-free car parks and those in the equine world are scared that tough new planning rules could stop them keeping horses for recreational purposes. A rally organised by the Forest Uprising pressure group last Saturday attracted about 1,000 protesters, and NFDOG has got a day of action planned for Sunday at Brockenhurst.

At the NPA's headquarters, Mr Packham said the authority has to put people first and animals second, but "what disappoints me is that people are reluctant to accept change".

He said visitor pressure had increased on the New Forest. He is confident it can be managed in the future by directing people into certain areas and leaving others wild and remote for ground nesting birds to breed undisturbed.

"What concerns me is that some of the attitudes are somewhat misguided."

He exercises his own dogs on the forest responsibly "with regard to nightjar and woodlark".

"We're trying to advise people how to minimise their impact on the area they know and love."

And he warned: "If we don't do anything we will lose the species because the impact dogs have is profound."

Authority chairman Clive Chatters pointed out there would be an extra 140,000 houses built on the doorstep of the park by 2026. That would mean a 13 per cent increase in the number of visitors to 14.6 million a year.

NPA chief executive Lindsay Cornish said she wants horse owners who did not have planning permission to regularise their positions.

The authority is only likely to pursue retrospective applications where the use of the land is having a harmful impact on the landscape.

She said a rumour that vice-chairman Barry Rickman had been asked to resign after criticising the consultation document "was a lie".

Road pricing would be a matter for Hampshire County Council.