LONG-term plans by the New Forest National Park Authority have been criticised by a local association which fears they will have a harmful effect on the thriving New Forest equestrian community.

The National Park Authority has issued draft proposals detailing plans for the next 20 years of the National Park.

It outlines strategies to deal with key areas such as climate change, transport and development.

The plans, which are under public consultation for the next 10 weeks, also aim to regulate the keeping of horses and ponies for recreational use.

It means some owners and riders would have to go through a strict planning process for the change of use to land where their animals graze.

Factors such as the impact of paddocks, fencing and buildings on the landscape as well as whether the horse is rugged or if it requires supplementary food, would indicate whether planning permission would be required.

But the New Forest Equestrian Association is set to object to the proposals, which they describe as "draconian measures".

A spokesperson said: "It is particularly disappointing that the NPA has chosen such a punitive and confrontational approach without seeking the facts, without considering the wider picture and ignoring the advice of experts and of those organisations and individuals that in good faith took part in workshops earlier this year."

The association believes that if the proposals are implemented it will lead to serious horse welfare issues, have a major effect on the local economy and damage commoning throughout the Forest.

"There is a very strong sense of local outrage and the NFEA urges all those involved in or connected with recreational horsekeeping to obtain a copy of the Park Plan", the spokesperson added.

A National Park Authority spokesperson said: "We want to remind people that these policies are in draft and that we are asking for their comments on the policies themselves and not information they have read or heard elsewhere.

"We understand that some people are concerned about the draft recreational horsekeeping policies.

"The plan explains why these draft policies have been included to help address the landscape and land management issues that can arise from recreational horsekeeping."