VIEWS from New Forest residents on the future of England’s forests and woods are being sought by the New Forest National Park Authority.

The organisation is responding to a call from the Independent Panel on Forestry, which has been set up to advise the Government on the future of England’s forests and woods by April 2012.

It has a wide-ranging remit including advising on the future direction of forest and woodland policy.

New Forest National Park Chairman Julian Johnson said: “It is good to hear that the panel is initiating site visits and following confirmation of these first visits we would hope that the Panel would schedule more and come to the New Forest; we will be seeking clarification on this.

“I am sure the visits will reinforce the value of connecting with local people and why it will be important for them to come to the New Forest.

“The unique way the Open Forest is looked after, through the ancient practice of commoning and the efforts of a wide range of partners working together, can only be fully appreciated first-hand.

“It is important that the Panel understands the particular characteristics of the New Forest – the pressures on the landscape, the diversity and the numbers of visitors who come here.”

He added: “Now we know what questions are being asked by the Panel, we can consider them in more detail.

“National Park Authority members will discuss their response to the ‘call for views’ at the next Authority meeting on June 23 ahead of the deadline for comments on July 31.

“There are excellent examples of good practice across the New Forest and I would encourage everyone to put their views forward.”

To find out more about the Forestry Panel and how to give them your views, visit: www.defra.gov.uk/rural/forestry/panel/