Respect My Authority...

From today, Tuesday 1 March, 2005, we have another National Park to play in.

Yep, as of this morning the New Forest became the first new National Park in England for many years and the first one ever in the South East complete with its own new National Park Authority which is responsible for championing the interest of the new park. It's England's ninth National Park.

Obviously it's not full of mountains, but the New Forest is a beautiful natural area with lots of potential for walking, runing, riding and so on. The park covers 571 square kilometres and some 34,400 people live within its boundaries.

Being granted National Park status means there are new planning laws, new rules for public bodies, a new National Park Authority effective from 1 April 2005 and more government funding from 2006/7 onwards. The current year is a transitional one with the new authority outlining its strategy, recruiting staff and finding offices before getting into full swing next year.

You can find out more at the New Forest National Park Authority web site which for now includes basic details and a map of the area encompassed by the park.

Great news and a move that should see this beautiful area preserved for generations to come.