MORE than 1,000 individuals and organisations have given their views on how recreation should be managed in and around the New Forest National Park, with nearly 80 per cent agreeing with the proposed actions.

The online survey over eight weeks this summer asked people their views on 25 draft proposed actions, including how the wildlife-rich landscape should be protected, how management of recreation should take place and how limited resources should be used.

According to the National Park Authority, most of the actions received a very high level of support - on average 78 per cent of people agreed or strongly agreed with them.

The proposals were based on feedback received last year and ranged from developing an agreed New Forest-wide network of key visitor sites and core walking and cycling routes; to measures to protect against specific activities that have impact on the Forest; and increasing the range of initiatives designed to help people understand why the Forest is so special.

Of 1,073 respondents, including 39 organisations, nearly 700 provided additional comments.

One of the aims of the survey was to hear the views of a wide range of local people and visitors, including those who don’t normally get involved in public consultations, and nearly 60 per cent said they had never taken part in a New Forest consultation before.

Deputy Surveyor at the Forestry Commission, Bruce Rothnie, said: "The knowledge and views gathered from this consultation will help us to make the right choices for the future benefit of the New Forest."

New Forest National Park Authority Chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre said: "We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to give us their thoughts on how we can best manage recreation in and around the Forest. Other organisations tell us that they often receive only a few hundred responses to consultations so we’re really pleased with the level of response. The fact that such a large majority of people support the actions means that were on the right track."

He said the authority hoped to come up with specific plans early next year, showing how the actions will be carried out.