HALE PURLIEU, MILLERSFORD PLANTATION & TURF HILL
A Scarred and Mismanaged Landscape?
On 28/01/2023 I noticed that on the Forestry Commission interactive website (https://www.forestergis.com/Apps/MapBrowser/) that Millersford Plantation and Turf Hill Inclosure are designated using a red hatch pattern as being 'No Main Habitat'. These areas match up with what has been clear felled since 1985 and most recently in January 2023. I then zoomed out to a broader view of the woods and inclosures around Godshill, Fritham, Hyde and the wider New Forest. I noticed that significant areas are similarly designated using the red hatch pattern as being 'No Main Habitat'. This leads to the question whether these areas will also be clear felled. I contacted Forestry England on 30/01/2023 asking for clarification and I am currently waiting on a response. Subsequently I noticed on 01/02/2023 that the 'No Main Habitat' designation has been removed from the Forestry Commission interactive website.
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Please view the two maps below taken from the Forestry Commission interactive website on 28/01/2023 showing the Turf Hill Inclosure and Millersford Plantation areas, and a wider view showing the northwest quadrant of the New Forest.
Ordinance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2022. OS 100030994.
Ordinance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2022. OS 100030994.