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New Forest National Park Authority to prosecute landowners following enforcement action at Doctor’s Copse, Sway




THE owners of a woodland in Sway are to be prosecuted after failing to comply with enforcement action.

As reported in the A&T, the national park authority launched an enforcement case at the Old Quarry, also known as Doctor’s Copse, off Southampton Road, after it was found the land was being used for open storage.

Cars parked at Doctor's Copse
Cars parked at Doctor's Copse

This included scrap material, tyres, timber panels and vehicles.

The NPA’s planning committee, which met on Tuesday, heard a site visit in May found items were still being illegally stored there.

A report to members outlined the authority’s next steps would be prosecution, after the owners of the land had made no effort to improve the site.

Tree felling at Doctor's Copse
Tree felling at Doctor's Copse

It said: “Prior to commencing a prosecution, the authority needs to be satisfied firstly that there is a realistic prospect of success, and secondly that commencing prosecution proceedings would be in the wider public interest.

“The authority is satisfied that there is an adequate prospect of success given the evidence available. As to the public interest in taking action, the enforcement of planning control is in the wider public interest of the community by preventing inappropriate and harmful development within a special environment of national significance.

“In the circumstances, it is therefore considered expedient, necessary, and proportionate to commence proceedings.”

Members unanimously agreed with the report’s recommendation which states the NPA should take “all action as necessary”.



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