The final version of the RMS is now on the NFNPA's
website.
We are pleased to confirm
that on 25th February, the New Forest national Park Authority approved
the final draft of the National Park Recreation Management Strategy,
subject to the subsequent final completion of a revised Habitat
Regulations Assessment. NFDOG Committee is delighted with the
result of many consultations with the NFNPA.
The final wording in the
section of the RMS dealing with dog walking (see section 6) was settled
at a meeting between several members of the NFDOG Committee and an NPA
representative after much discussion and the consideration of several
drafts. At the suggestion of the Committee, it now incorporates the dog
walking code which was originally developed in conjunction with The
Forestry Commission and appears on our web site. We are very pleased
with the outcome.
NFDOG'S RESPONSE TO THE RMS
New Forest Dog Owners Group (NFDOG) is pleased to present its
response to the draft RMS, Version 6. Our organisation, numbering
over 3,000 members, is united in the approach defined below. The
membership is higher now than in 2008, when we received overwhelming
support for our opposition to the original draft, and many members have
contacted us in the recent past to welcome the consultative
approach. There is a concern that if relationships with, and
attitudes of, the NFNPA change, then we might have to return to the
high profile opposition of the past.
General Comments:
The Group offers its congratulations on a document well thought out and
clearly presented, a great improvement on the original draft, issued in
2008. Much easier to read and digest, this version is inclusive
in its approach and offers respect to the different interest groups in
the New Forest, giving them the trust to work together through the
weeks and months to come.
The revised RMS is a much more balanced document that hopefully not
only reflects the NPA’s welcome move towards listening to the
stakeholders but also signals a future of cooperation rather than
dictat.
The whole document makes it clear that the two purposes of the
NP are given equal importance. This, if respected by all, will be
a key in the dialogue and debates to come. Mention of the
Sandford principle, to be applied only when a conflict cannot be
resolved, is also vital.
The importance of education is acknowledged throughout the document and
supported by NFDOG, as is the concept of Codes of Conduct.
It is worrying that some references to consensus have been removed and
it remains to be seen whether the huge resources that will be required
to carry out all the proposed research and evidence gathering, and the
formation and running of the proposed Ranger service and Management
Steering Group, will be made available.
A particular problem is the maintenance of car parks, for which the
Forestry Commission is responsible, and for which their current budget
is derisory. This problem affects a huge cross section of the
recreational activities and some way should be found to ensure
additional funding.
NFDOG felt itself a valued party to the drafting process and
felt that the NFNPA honoured its pledge that “nothing would come
as a surprise”.
Specific Comments:
The Foreword.
This supports the comments made above and, in particular, the
last two sentences epitomise the imperative for the future:
“The Authority is committed to continuing the high level of
participation by stakeholders as the process of developing ideas and
action continues over the coming years. This will be critical to
future success.”
The key points of the Strategy:
Whilst the idea of a steering group is sound, and NFDOG would
hope and expect to be a part of it, there has to be a worry that such a
forum could become seriously unwieldy with the numbers of members that
could be required. It might be necessary that the whole group,
meeting occasionally, is there to sanction plans and actions that
emerge from sub groups with specific interests.
2. The Vision:
This demonstrates an alluring future as all visions
should. NFDOG looks forward to playing its part in the journey.
4. Challenges and Issues: Of all of these,
clearly
4.6 Resolving Conflict and building
Consensus is of most interest to NFDOG. Table 5, the summary of
polarised views, gives a fair view of the opposite stances on dog
walking. This group would like to acknowledge the problems (real
and perceived) and confirm its commitment to finding ways to address
them. NFDOG has always, and always will, promote responsible dog
ownership.
NFDOG’s own Mission statement “On the Forest – Off
the Lead (whilst under control)” can only be respected and
understood by the general community, if its Committee and members can
demonstrate leadership in encouraging all dog owners to act responsibly.
5. Themes for taking Action:
5.2 Better Information
Priority Actions for the next 5 years: These are very
important and give a clear acknowledgement of lack of evidence in the
past, requiring a programme of survey and research.
6. Proposals for specific Recreational Activities
6.1 Walking
The balanced approach to walking – with or without dogs
– is gratifying, as is the increased emphasis on the needs of the
disabled and other minority groups (many of whom own dogs).
Perhaps the particular problems of families with very young children
and buggies/pushchairs could be highlighted more. More could be
done with the flatter car parks and lawns to make life easier for these
groups, and give equal opportunities throughout the New Forest.
The last paragraph deals with dog walking and the wording was the
subject of prior consultation with the NFNPA. NFDOG would have no
objection to additions to this paragraph, providing they are consistent
with our Policies and Codes of Conduct. The NFDOG committee is
very clear, that if dog problems are aired in this, the main text, then
cycling problems should feature in 6.2, horse problems in 6.3, etc.
Footnote 27 is welcomed and well worded.
Annex 1 Impacts that Require further Research
Looking at ‘Wildlife disturbance’, NFDOG
acknowledges that dog walking is perceived to be a threat to ground
nesting birds and occasional dog attacks on wildlife. In the
absence of hard evidence on these matters, an open mind is needed, but
NFDOG wishes to state publicly that it is committed to wildlife
preservation and has always promoted responsible dog ownership.
Conclusion:
The RMS is a starting point for a successful future for the
New Forest. NFDOG committee is willing and able to play an active
part in building for this future.
After the huge amount of work that has been put in by the management
team at the NPA in consulting the various stakeholder groups, taking
note of their reasonable concerns and putting this document together,
it is to be hoped that the Draft will be accepted largely as it stands.
Pauline Ludlow
Chairman
12.02.10
Letter to the Lymington
Times.
8th February 2010
Sir,
Readers could infer from your article last week that dog interests in
the New Forest have had a “falling out”. As anyone
who has come into contact with us will know and as I can confirm
unequivocally: New Forest Dog Owners Group has always promoted
responsible dog ownership as, I am sure, do David Dickenson and Penny
Gayler.
The difference, if there is one, is in our approach. NFDOG
is moving forward through negotiation and co-operation, as may be seen,
for example, from our recent successful meeting with the Forestry
Commission and National Park Authority, where we jointly took a good
step forward on the management of dog problems.
It is true that we also differ on how dog walking should be dealt
with in the Recreation Management Strategy. Whereas both David
Dickenson and Penny Gayler seem to feel that there should be a lot more
about dogs and irresponsible dog ownership in the document, we consider
that if that line were followed then a balanced approach would be
required: We would need the same treatment of, for example,
irresponsible cyclists, irresponsible horse ownership, irresponsible
ramblers and picnickers, etc. In our opinion, the RMS is not the
place for such detail, which would be better left to the debates on
implementation. Such dialogues, as mentioned above, have already
commenced, and NFDOG will continue to be involved in these.
The NFDOG committee believes the RMS, as drafted, is a well
balanced document. It is what follows that is so important.
So, in summary, there is no disagreement over the goals, only
over the methods of achieving them.
Pauline Ludlow
Chairman
New Forest Dog Owners Group
NFDOG'S COMMENT AT THE NPA Meeting 28.01.10
"Before starting on my prepared presentation, I should just like to
comment on the speeches earlier that mentioned NFDOG. Whilst, on
the face of it, what was said sounds quite reasonable, I would ask, why
should dog walkers get more mention in the RMS than other recreational
groups? Why should the problems surrounding dogs be highlighted
when other problems are not?
However, the main point that NFDOG would like to make to the NPA is
that we are very pleased with the new draft RMS. The forward is
good and the concept of different groups working together for the
future, codes of conduct, and education, all seem to strike the right
note.
As a step towards the future, we met with the Forestry Commission last
week and Barrie Foley joined the meeting. The four members from
NFDOG agreed afterwards that it was the most useful and productive
meeting we have had with the Forestry Commission. Barrie, a great
facilitator, helped ensure that three main points of action were
agreed, addressing the real or perceived problems with dogs. We
could not have imagined this in the past.
If this is the pattern for the future then Barrie Foley is undoubtedly
the right person to lead it for as long as the NPA can hold onto
him. The committee of NFDOG and its 3000 members believe the NPA
have now found the best way forward."
Of course we are prepared to fight when we have to – as our
reaction to the 1st drafts showed – but we much prefer the
consultative approach.
So, our question of the future is:
“What is the NPA’s strategy to ensure the smooth
implementation of the RMS?"
NPA has come up Trumps
This is the belief of New Forest Dog Owners Group, following
publication of the latest Draft Recreation Management Strategy.
NFDOG was one of the key stakeholders, who entered discussion with the
NPA last October about the content of the RMS.
“We have had several meetings with Barrie Foley and Stephen
Trotter from the NPA” said NFDOG Chairman, Pauline Ludlow.
“The NPA listened to our comments and a compromise wording was
always agreed. Nothing has come as a surprise and we are pleased
that our views have been taken on board. The document has clearly
left the specifics of recreation management to future forums made up of
interested parties. We are very satisfied with the process so far
and pleased that we shall be included in decision making in the
future.”
The NFDOG Committee believes that this document lays a
firm foundation for future negotiation over the management of
recreation, including dog walking. The attitude of give and take,
as described therein, together with the Vision, will be embraced by all
our members.
Heather Gould, secretary to the Committee said “It seems that
another of our objectives is being met, in that dog walkers are not
being ‘singled out or treated differently from other Forest
users’. All in all, we welcome the document and look
forward to the future.”
ANOTHER
THREAT TO DOG WALKERS
Christchurch Borough Council have a proposal to apply for a
Dog Control Order (dogs to be kept on leads) on Stanpit Marsh. This
proposal will be put to the Community Services Committee on Wednesday
20th January and if agreed, a 6 week public consultation will begin.
Questionnaires for the general public will be available from the Civic
Offices, libraries and the Stanpit Marsh Information Centre. We would
encourage our members to obtain and complete a questionnaire and also
join the mailing list of the council, to be kept up to date with any
news.
MILFORD
REC.
As of the 1st January
2010, dogs have been banned from Milford Recreation ground. The ban has
been put in place by Milford Parish council,
but has not been passed as a bye law yet. The Parish Council are also
considering removing the dog waste bin from this area.
To voice your views on this, please email; milfordpc@btconnect.com.
Response to New Forest
National Park Authority's Draft
Management Plan - October 2009
Following the publication
of the New Forest National Park
Authority's Draft Management Plan, NFDOG have prepared a response,
available below in PDF format.
 NFDOG's
Response to the New Forest National Park
Authority's Draft Management Plan
 |
