Protest against New Forest plan

More than 700 people took part in the protest, on foot or on horseback

Hundreds of protesters have taken part in a demonstration against controversial plans to change the way people live in and use the New Forest.

The rally was staged at Wilverly Plain near Brockenhurst, Hampshire.

Members of Forest Uprising Group are opposed to plans put forward by the New Forest National Park Authority.

Proposals include making horse owners seek planning permission to be allowed to keep animals for recreational use, and tolls on New Forest roads.

Horses are an integral part of the fabric of the forest and have been for the last 1,000 years Tina Cant, Forest Uprising Group

Dog-walkers are also fighting plans to make some car parks "dog-free", as part of plans to protect wildlife and cut down on fouling.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) was created five years ago to help preserve the unique character of the New Forest.

Tina Cant, from the Forest Uprising Group, said: "We are struggling to understand the motivation.

"If you read through the report, every other phrase seems to criticise horse-riding and horse-keeping.

"It's very strange because horses are an integral part of the fabric of the forest, and have been for the last 1,000 years, and are very much a part of the economy of the New Forest."

Recreational horse owners in the New Forest are upset about the plans

Ms Cant said many horse owners would have to meet the new regulations, which include providing 2.5 acres for each horse and the banning of supplemental feeding without planning permission.

Horses would also be allowed no rugs or shelter without permission under the plans.

Ms Cant said the changes would have an adverse impact on the animals' health.

She said the message to the NPA was: "We didn't elect you, you haven't consulted us, these proposals are unworkable - you've got to come back to the table, sit down and rework them."

Clive Chatters, chairman of the NPA, said: "The world outside the forest is changing rapidly.

"Our policies towards building new stables, taking farmland and turning it into paddocks are more or less the same as the local government policies before us.

"It's a consultation plan and we're asking people to read it and then give us their ideas as to how we can make it better."