Setthorns is first of 10 campsites to reopen under new management of New Forest Agricultural Show Society

THE first of 10 New Forest campsites taken over by the New Forest Agricultural Show Society will open on Wednesday after the charity signed a 10-year agreement with Forestry England.

Setthorns campsite will launch under new management on 1st February, following the completion of a deal for the society to run all Forestry England-owned camping facilities within the national park.

Remaining sites at Aldridge Hill, Ashurst, Denny Wood, Hollands Wood, Holmsley, Long Beech, Matley Wood, Ocknell and Roundhill will reopen on 1st April.

The show society is the charity which organises the three-day New Forest Show. It will operate the campsites under a trading company called Camping New Forest.

Show society chief executive Denis Dooley said: “Our vision is to create high quality, authentic campsites that the New Forest community can be proud of – campsites that improve local social sustainability and bring people together from all over the world to learn about and experience the natural beauty of the New Forest.”

As part of the agreement, the show society will form an advisory group working with Forestry England and other stakeholders including the verderers, the New Forest Association and Natural England.

There have been concerns about the impact of camping in the Forest, so it is hoped this will improve interaction between visitors and the local environment, as well as discussing issues and conflicts that arise at the sites.

Mr Dooley said unique courses will also be developed to educate visitors and locals about the Forest, and extended to schools across the area.

As reported in the A&T, Forestry England regained full control of the campsites previously run by the Camping and Caravan Club last autumn, ending a 65-year licence agreement.

Under the new terms, the New Forest Show Society has a 10-year agreement, with suggestions that three of the most sensitive sites may be reduced in size or relocated to more robust areas within this period.

Craig Harrison, Forestry England’s Deputy Surveyor for the New Forest, hailed Camping New Forest as the right choice, adding: “They really know and understand the special nature of the New Forest and are part of its community.

“Working with them and other key local groups, we will be able to shape the future of these incredible locations.”

Show society chair Martin Stewart added: “The society, being a charity, is beautifully positioned to be able to reinvest all profits back into the Forest for the benefit if this remarkable environment.”