Public space protection orders for BBQs and feeding or petting New Forest ponies come into force 1st July

ON-the-spot fines of £100 for lighting a barbecue or fire and feeding or petting New Forest animals come in to effect this weekend.

As reported in the A&T, the new legislation, imposed by New Forest District Council in a bid to reduce antisocial behaviour, is supported by Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the verderers.

From Saturday public space protection orders (PSPOs) ban the lighting of fires and use of barbecues principally on the Crown Lands managed by Forestry England, and the feeding and petting of ponies, horses, mules, and donkeys in the New Forest.

The legal orders means rangers and others in authority can issue fixed penalty notices for breaches up to £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 with a magistrates’ court prosecution.

Barbecues and fires have been banned across the New Forest since 2020.

However, a Forestry England spokesperson told the A&T it was called to two incidents on Wednesday evening.

One incident occurred at Goatspen and the other at Vereley, both near Burley.

The spokesperson added: “Both reports were investigated with staff attending and dealing with the incidents quickly.

“BBQs and fires have been banned on Forestry England land in the New Forest since 2020 and we consistently share this information through a range of different channels and directly with the public. The PSPOs which come into force on 1st July will reinforce this ban.”

Earlier this month police officers said they wanted a wider spread of awareness of the rules after a joint patrol with a Forestry England ranger found tourists burning disposable barbecues at a site in Burley.

A post by local police said: “These barbecues belonged to a family from outside Hampshire who had no idea that this was something they couldn’t do and how much of a risk it was to the Forest.

“Please tell everyone and let’s make sure we have another fire-free summer.”