Forestry England rejects plea from traders to ban Lyndhurst ice cream van

CALLS to ban an ice cream van from operating at a Lyndhurst beauty spot have been rejected by Forestry England.

As reported in the A&T, traders in the village had previously urged the organisation not to renew a licence allowing it to operate at Bolton’s Bench amid claims it was discouraging customers from spending money in local shops.

However, New Forest deputy surveyor Craig Harrison revealed Forestry England relied on cash generated by mobile refreshment licences as it only receives 12% of its funding directly from the government. He added licence fee revenue is reinvested in caring for the Forest and providing facilities.

Speaking at a meeting of the Verderers’ Court, Mr Harrison said much of the work of FE involved protecting and enhancing the New Forest, and providing information to enable visitors to enjoy the area responsibly.

He continued: ”In the New Forest given the level of protection and support needed for such a special landscape we spend far more than we generate in revenues. Our work has for many years now been largely supported by funds generated by Forestry England in other parts of the country.”

Describing the practice as “not a wholly sustainable position”, Mr Harrison said FE was focused on increasing revenue streams to fund environmental and social improvements.

“In addition to our forestry and habitat restoration work in the New Forest we also look after a network of 130 car parks, maintain hundreds of miles of trails, paths and cycle routes and run visitor-focused ranger patrols,” said Mr Harrison, continuing: “These activities all play a significant role in making the New Forest a popular destination for visitors, local people, and residents which can help support tourism and the local economy.”

Turning to the situation at Bolton’s Bench, Mr Harrison said recent tarmac repairs of the large car park had cost in excess of £80,000, adding: “The high demand for parking at this location brings with its significant maintenance costs.”

The Verderers’ Court heard that ice cream vans and mobile refreshment providers were licenced at 17 of the New Forest’s 130 car parks, with the most “suitable and robust” locations chosen close to existing facilities.

Stating that Lyndhurst High Street businesses had been invited to bid for the Bolton’s Bench licence, Mr Harrison concluded: “Those companies who are successful will be contractually required to meet conditions around managing litter and helping us to deliver key educational messages including not feeding or petting livestock and the Public Space Protection Order rules.”