By Mal Butler
Plans to offer overnight accommodation, deep inside Bouldnor Forest, have sparked fears of wildfires and a risk of damaging undisturbed woodland, which is home to protected birds, red squirrels, and other rare species.
The proposal by Forestry England has been slammed by local residents, who claim the organisation is acting as ‘gamekeeper turned poacher’ by commercialising the nation’s forests and exploiting remote pockets of woodland.
Wildfire threats and environment concerns
Forestry England unveiled its plans to introduce cabins into the forest for commercial rent in July, just days before numerous wildfires across the country, including Headon Warren and the New Forest.
The new Bouldnor Forest Group has been set up, and spokeswoman, Samantha Powell, said: “The woodland is tinder-dry, and the prospect of a cigarette butt starting a fire which would destroy it for a generation is devastating. The forest is surrounded by homes.
“Last week, I was watching nightjars in the exact spot where Forestry England plans to install a cabin with a gas cylinder, a dangerous fire accelerant. The cabins will attract people in the summer and during drought periods. Surely there should be a proper fire risk assessment, recognising climate change and the likelihood of unlicensed barbecues and campfires, not to mention the risk of cigarettes, vapes, and carelessly discarded glass and litter.”
Experience elsewhere
One site has been launched this year to showcase this new partnership with Unyoked, and met with almost no resistance. But the chosen location in Dalby Forest, Yorkshire, was itself the subject of grave warnings, issued by Forestry England in May, after finding camp-fires, gas stoves, and barbecues.
The authority warned that even a controlled fire could easily start and spread rapidly, and a Forestry England spokesman said: “Fires put people in danger and cause irreversible damage to habitats that take years, sometimes decades, to recover.”
As well as the risk of fire, the group is concerned that people will trample the living habitat, disturb wildlife with noise and light pollution after dark, leave litter and dog mess, and behave unsociably.
Samantha added: “I can’t believe that Forestry England will licence unsupervised campsites in the forest which will encourage this sort of behaviour.
“At nightfall people normally leave the forest and the birds and animals are left undisturbed overnight. But it’s unavoidable that people will be moving around outside their cabins in the evening. At best, they will be talking, using torches and eating and drinking; at worst, they will be playing loud music and partying. There will be nowhere left for the wildlife.”
Forestry England’s safety plans
A Forestry England spokesman said: “In 2011 Forestry England leased land at Bouldnor to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Their activities at this location included a commercial forest school operation.
“In 2020 the Trust relinquished part of the lease, and the remainder expired earlier this year. It was mutually agreed not to renew the lease and, as a result, Forestry England is developing future plans for the site.
“The trailer-mounted caravans would be located within the woodland and will not be placed on the protected Special Site of Scientific Interest areas or on the heathland. They would include a range of ecologically sensitive features, and not require any additional works for facilities such as parking as this is already in place.
“Forestry England owns and works with camping and outdoor accommodation providers across the nation, and fire safety is a key consideration. Our proposal, at this location, would not allow barbecues, camp-fires, and outdoor cooking equipment, and the accommodation would have all relevant safety features in place.
“Planning discussions have taken place with the relevant bodies. We will continue to work with all interested parties as our plans develop.”
Carole Dennett