New Forest: Plan to introduce Public Space Protection Orders

The district council has launched a public consultation after drawing up plans to introduce two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) that aim to deter "inappropriate behaviour".

One of the PSPOs seeks to prevent people from interacting with ponies and other animals that graze the landscape.

The other bans the lighting of fires and the use of BBQs, principally on land managed by Forestry England.

Anyone breaching a PSPO can be handed a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice or fined up to £1,000 if the case goes to Southampton Magistrates' Court.

People could be fined £1,000 for feeding or petting ponies and donkeys in the New Forest (Image: Daily Echo Camera Club member Holly Marie)

Patrick Heneghan is deputy chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority and chairman of the area's recreation management strategy steering group.

He said: "However well-intentioned, the feeding and petting of ponies can cause them serious harm, encouraging them closer to the roadsides and busy car parks, and stopping them from seeking their own natural food."

People could be fined £1,000 for feeding or petting ponies and donkeys in the New Forest (Image: Daily Echo Camera Club member John Scamell)

Craig Harrison, deputy surveyor of the New Forest, is Forestry England's most senior official in the area.

He said: "Protecting the area from the growing risk of wildfires and their potentially devastating consequences is a key priority.

"Our teams have spent many hours this year preventing irresponsible use of BBQs and fires, and working with the emergency services to respond to incidents."

People could be fined up to £1,000 for feeding or petting ponies in the New Forest (Image: Peter LeCointe)

The consultation ends on January 27 and the results will be reported to the council's ruling cabinet in the spring.

Anyone wishing to express a view should go online and visit newforest.gov.uk/publicspaceprotectionorders