AFFORDABLE housing in towns and the countryside is one of the big issues that will have to be faced in the New Forest in years to come.

The National Park Authority and the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association are working to keep young commoning families domiciled in the area and the district council is working with housing associations in towns and villages to similar ends.

In December housing charity Shelter said the district council was in the bottom 20 per cent of councils with 5,176 households waiting for housing. It would take more than 10 years to clear the area’s housing lists, even if no new names were added.

Hunting is a popular pastime in and around the New Forest and if the Conservatives win power, the Hunting Act could be repealed, allowing hunting with dogs.

With a large elderly population in places such as Barton, New Milton and Milford, among the issues that will need to be tackled are diminishing retirement incomes, and increased pressure on health and care services.

Ever increasing costs of petrol and diesel are hitting hard in rural communities like the New Forest where many people have to travel for shopping, health services, schools and for social activities, instead of hopping on a bike, bus or train.

Other issues that are likely to cause problems in the years to come could include expansion at Bournemouth Airport and aircraft noise pollution, already an issue in and around Burley and Bransgore.

Last, but by no means least, are environmental issues.

The contentious ongoing battle between Lymington River Association and cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink is hardly likely to go away in a hurry, with the river users predicting increased erosion of the marshes through the use of the larger ferry boats.

Cliff erosion between Milford and Barton is long-running battle, as is the risk to the shinglebank at Hurst, which protects the western Solent and its marshlands from storm damage and coastal property from flooding.

Most of the issues surrounding the future of the New Forest National Park, such as car park closures, dog walking issues and changes to planning laws have been overcome, but there will be further arguments to come.

THE CANDIDATES

Bournemouth Echo: desmond swayne new forest west

Desmond Swayne

The Conservatives are again fielding Desmond Swayne, the area’s MP since 1997.

Born in August 1956 and married to Moira, he lives at Burley in the heart of the New Forest.

He said: “This general election is not about local issues. This general election is about how the nation is run, not how the New Forest is run.

“This general election is about whether we are going to have five years more of Gordon Brown.”

He has recently said he will vote for repeal of the Hunting Act.

Bournemouth Echo: Mike Plummer new forest west

Mike Plummer

Liberal-Democrat PPC for New Forest West is Poole councillor Mike Plummer.

A father-of-two, he has successfully campaigned for more money for education in Dorset, helped keep open the Remploy factory for disabled workers in Poole, organised the longest school walking bus and set up and organised the Poole Park Challenge to raise money for disabled and disadvantaged children.

Bournemouth Echo: Janice Hurne new forest west

Janice Hurne

Janice Hurne increased Labour’s share of the vote by 1.8 per cent to 7,590 in New Forest West when she stood for election in 2005 – against Mr Swayne’s 26,004.

“Labour’s immediate priority is to guide Britain through this difficult economic time,” she said, adding there were signs of recovery but Labour wants to ensure impact of the economic downturn on working people and their families is minimised.

She is opposed to hunting with dogs and supports National Park status for the New Forest.

Bournemouth Echo: Janet Richards new forest west

Janet Richards

Janet Richards, a founder member and director of the Futurefarms co-operative and community farm in Martin near Fordingbridge, is the Green Party’s candidate.

One of her major concerns is the shortage of affordable housing in the forest. She said: “When waiting lists are this long, even priority cases may have to wait years before being housed.”

Bournemouth Echo: martin lyon - new forest west

Martin Lyon

CHARTERED surveyor Martin Lyon is contesting New Forest West for the UK Independence Party.

Mr Lyon, 44, has worked for several organisations, including Hampshire County Council, IBM, Southern Water and Savills, plus local construction companies.

He and his wife and their four children have enjoyed camping and caravanning holidays in the New Forest for many years.