New Milton Advertiser 18th December 2020

Friday 18th December 2020 · 5 News

news@adt.press · advertising@adt.press · 01425 613384

Clubs fear fresh curbs on New Forest activities

Pandemic sees smaller NFDC carbon footprint

THE carbon footprint of New Forest District Council buildings was a third smaller over a six-month period this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, it has been revealed. Over the first half of 2020/21 the CO2 output of NFDC facili - ties was 907 tonnes – compared to 1,346 tonnes over the same period in 2019/20, the council was told by Cllr Alison Hoare,

the cabinet member for the en- vironment. She said that was due to re- ductions in the use of its build- ings and the closure of leisure centres during the first lock - down. Cllr Hoare said NFDC’s tri- al of four electric vehicles was “progressing well”, saving 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide against an equivalent diesel ve- hicle.

Forestry England says it is protecting habitats in the area

She said: “Some months ago, it became clear that the next HRA would need to address changes and a strengthening of the law in this area. “It also needs to adapt to changes in the timetable for ground-nesting birds who, due to climate change, are begin- ning breeding earlier in the year. “At this point we began dis- cussing the implications of this with local groups who have per- missions for activities. We have also requested an extension from Natural England to agree the new HRA in order to give these groups time to adapt and for us to work on alternative op - tions with them. “Forestry England, as the land manager, has to find a way to meet the legal requirements to protect this precious habitat whilst at the same time trying to support the activities of local community groups. “This is a difficult balancing act and we are working hard with local groups to support them and find a suitable solu - tion. All parties have a com- mon goal to protect the special features of the New Forest and avoid endangering rare wildlife and habitats.”

BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI

FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK/TWITTER SITES FOR OUR NEWS & OFFERS

AN award-winning Indian take - away in Pennington will open on Christmas Day to provide hundreds of free meals for elderly and vulnerable resi- dents. The team at Forest Tandoori have pledged to dish out as many three-course set meals as possible between 2pm and 8.30pm to people who request them either in advance or on the day. The family-run takeaway, which was recently recognised with a top accolade in the pres- tigious Good Food Awards, is prepared to create up to 300 or more main meals and sides for the community. Spokesperson Shima Miah, whose father Shah Rahman has run the Fox Pond business since 1998, said: “We know that Christmas will be a difficult time for many people this year who may be separated from their loved ones or struggling financially. “We felt that we wanted to do something for those in need so we decided to offer free set meals for anyone in the commu- nity who is vulnerable, elderly or struggling financially this year.” The Christmas Day offer, which has been circulated wide- ly on social media, follows a pre- vious initiative by the business in Milford Road to give free food to Lymington hospital staff and NEW Forest activity groups have raised fears about their operations being severely affected by fresh restrictions under consideration to protect wildlife. Among them is the district’s cycling club which has been rid- ing locally for over 80 years and claims it has been told by For- estry England (FE) that it can- not use any of its 130 car parks next year for regular events. The alleged ban comes as concern grows among other organisations over the impli- cations of a requirement to protect wildlife habitats in- cluding those of ground-nest- ing birds. Kelvin Pinchem, secretary of the New Forest Cycling Club, said he was “shocked” when the FE told him it would not be giv- ing it a permit for any of the car parks next year. He said: “We are now facing a huge struggle to try to find other sites. We were told that the decision had been taken to protect wildlife habitats and prevent people parking on the verges. But our club only at- tracts about seven to eight cars in total. “We need to find the sites soon as we have to give the po- lice their locations months in

ON THE GREEN BOUTIQUE & GALLERY

Karen would like to wish all her customers aMerry Christmas and aHappyNewYear! Telephone: 01590 643867 Email: info@mossonthegreen.com www.mossonthegreen.com 1 Church Hill, Milford on Sea SO41 0QH

Beaulieu Model Flying Club said it has been told it can fly planes only during the winter

advance of races.” The 300-strong Beaulieu Model Flying Club said had been told it will be able to fly planes only during the winter months – which a spokesperson branded “completely useless”. He added: “We need fine weather and good visibility, none of which you get in the winter. We have always been very careful about not going near any wildlife. “We have been told that oth - er organisations will also face similar restrictions on using the heath and the New Forest. “We feel the FE are being very

high-handed in the way they are dealing with clubs like ours.” It has been flying there for 50 years and pays a £1,000 annual licence. Chair of the New Forest Dog Owners Group, Heather Gould, said it had heard “rumours” of changes in the way organisa- tions will be allowed to use the Forest, specifically at Beaulieu. She said: “We have asked the FE for information, not least because it is so close to Hatchet Pond where the car park is clos - ing and moving, and the toilets being taken away. “So far we’ve not had a re-

sponse. Of course, some car parks close for short periods of maintenance or to protect ground-nesting birds. That’s completely reasonable. “We do need to keep an eye on this – many people have a perception of continual and creeping closures and restric- tions.” A spokesperson for FE did not deny the claims made by the groups but said it had a “le- gal requirement” to protect key habitats in the Forest which is set out in the Habitat Regula- tions Assessment (HRA) and is due for renewal next year.

Takeaway’s free Christmas Day meals

Staff at Forest Tandoori are offering takeaways to the elderly and vulnerable

know is in need this Christmas, please don’t be afraid or embar- rassed to contact us confiden - tially. You can call, email or pri- vate message us on Facebook

to place your order and we will have it ready for you to collect.” To contact Forest Tandoori call 01590 688446 or email info@ foresttandoori.com

residents at a nearby care home during the pandemic. Shima said: “On a busy week - end evening we cook 250 or more main courses, so we are prepared and we haven’t set any limits on the number of meals we will give away. “If people are vulnerable or alone and would benefit from a hot meal we do not want to turn them away.” Anyone requesting a free set meal can choose an appetiser of onion baji or meat or vegeta- ble samosa, followed by a main course curry dish prepared with chicken, lamb or vegetables, ac - companied by a rice dish and naan bread. Poppadums and onion salad will also be included. Co-owner Khalid Rahman said: “If you or anyone you

New Forest Disability free disability related information and advice for anyone across the New Forest

New Forest Disability

Welfare benefit and Blue Badge applications,new and lightly used mobility equipment and daily living aids, advice on living at home safely. Please phone to see what we have to offer. Closed for Christmas from 23rd December, re-opening 4th January Helpline 01425 628750

info@newforestdis.org.uk | www.newforestdis.org.uk Head Office. 6 Osborne Rd, New Milton, BH25 6AD

NEW FOREST MOHAIR FARM TO YARN MOHAIR CHRISTMAS SHOP OPEN THIS WEEKEND Sat 19th & Sun 20th, 11am – 4pm Mohair gifts, scarves, throws, socks, knitting and needlefelting kits and more…

CALL, TEXT OR EMAIL FOR A FREE QUOTATION. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: Annual Maintenance Schedules • Tidy-Ups • Hedge Cutting

Garden projects • Clearance Work • Tree Work Stump Grinding • Low Maintenance Solutions

Waste Removal and Disposal JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Linden, Jordans Lane, Pilley, SO41 5QW 01590 679921 | www.newforestmohair.co.uk

07779 118874 31 Sweyns Lease, East Boldre, SO42 7WQ mark@sterlinggardens.co.uk • www.sterlinggardens.co.uk

SUMMIT L A N D & D E V E L O P M E N T LANDWANTED, CASH PAID FOR:  LARGE GARDENS  GARAGE BLOCKS / YARDS  RUN DOWN PROPERTIES  REDUNDANT OFFICES 01202 836215  info@landwithsummit.com www.landwithsummit.com