Dear National Trust
We live locally to the northern New Forest. For many years, Hale Purlieu and joined areas used to be one of our favourite areas for a walk. We visited on the 20th and 22nd of January and were speechless at the devastation and the destruction that we witnessed. Approximately 15 hectares of pine trees have been felled in 2-3 weeks, the majority of which is NATIVE Scots Pine trees. We are shocked and appalled to our core that such destruction (clear felling) is legal in a National Park. The trails are now impassable mud pits. I have attached 6 photographs of the destruction, along with two photographs of boards erected by Forestry England at the Turf Hill and Roger Penny Way car parks. On the boards, Forestry England state their purpose is to remove 'non-native pine' and 'restore heathland.' Except, a majority of the trees removed were native Scots Pine, and with only two small exceptions, heathland restoration in the past 20 years at Turf Hill, Millersford AND Hale Purlieu have failed. Bracken, gorse, gravel and turfgrass have replaced the felled trees. A once beautiful area is now a failed, barren landscape. Locals are outraged and very upset. It used to be a place of comfort, solace and joy to us, now we can't bear to walk through here again. Hale Purlieu is the northern gateway to the New Forest and has a position of prominence. I am putting together a website to document the changes to Hale Purlieu and nearby areas, and contacting national newspapers. I have contacted Forestry England asking for further information. The management of Hale Purlieu, Turf Hill and Millersford Plantation appears to be very different to other inclosures, despite these areas being created in a similar timeframe as other inclosures. No other inclosures have been clear felled in this manner. I'm not aware of any other inclosures that have been removed in their entirety.
We are trying to ascertain the extent of the National Trust ownership boundary at Hale Purlieu. We assume ownership ends not at the stream but rather at the old boundary ditch that designates the boundaries of Hale Parish. This boundary ditch splits Turf Hill and Millersford Plantation in half. Thus, it appears that part of the January 2023 deforestation occurred on National Trust land. Other areas of Millersford Plantation deforested in 2005-2014 also appear to be on National Trust land. Finally, as shown on the recent Forestry England boards at Turf Hill & Roger Penny car parks, Phase 2 of their deforestation plans also appear to be on National Trust land.
We appreciate greatly the work of the National Trust. It is a unique and wonderful organisation. I am proud of its work and I have volunteered at Mompesson House. We find it hard to believe that the National Trust would want to be associated with such damage and destruction. The NT is known for conservation, and preservation of beautiful landscapes for all to enjoy. (I have attached a photo of the sign at Hale Purlieu asking people not to damage the trees and shrubs!) To Forestry England, clearly the timber has great value, but the landscape they have left behind has been STRIPPED of all its value. Please take a walk a Hale Purlieu, Turf Hill and Millersford Plantation, and decide for yourselves. There is no ecological argument to replace trees with bracken, gorse, gravel and turfgrass. Please could you supply a map showing the National Trust ownership boundary at Hale Purlieu. Please also clarify if the National Trust has plans for more felling at Hale Purlieu, other than those noted in Phase 1-4 on the Forestry England boards.
Thank you for your response to our distress regarding this much loved area of the New Forest.
They are a disgrace to our beautiful jewel!