PLANS for night-time events at Dorset's Moors Valley country park, including alcohol sales, have been criticised by residents.

Forestry England were accused by one of putting profit before the wildlife of the forest – and those living nearby.

“We have to stop putting profit over ecology and would have hoped that an organisation like Forestry England would have thought a bit more about the fact that they are running a forest, not a play park for bored humans,” said Ashley Heath resident Valerie Lee, who scoffed at claims that nighttime light trails, outdoor cinema and possibly other events, would not impact the creatures who live in the forest.

She said it was inappropriate to use the forest at night for money-making events and inappropriate to have alcohol sales at what was to be advertised as family-friendly events.

There was also criticism that an ecology report into the impact of a planned Halloween night light trail over ten days was commissioned by a company associated with the business who would provide the trail and was also not available at the licensing hearing.

But despite the concerns Dorset councillors deciding the application for the premises licence for the park were told by council lawyer Phil Crowther that wildlife could not be taken into consideration – even though Dorset Council, which is a partner in the park, has declared a climate and ecology emergency.

Forestry England has applied for a year-round Premises Licence which would allow them to sell alcohol from 10am until 11pm and also show films at the Moors Valley Country Park, one of Dorset’s most popular attractions. It had dropped an earlier request for the licence to include playing recorded music.

Nick Wardlaw, district recreation manager for Forestry England, said that at the moment only the Halloween light trail was being planned. He said the event would probably have a hut selling beer and mulled wine at the start/finish and another half-way round the mile-long trail. He told councillors that the sale of alcohol would ‘enhance the visitor experience’ together with street-food stalls. Last entry to the event would be at 9pm with those buying tickets limited to 15-minute time slots for arrival. He said it was anticipated no more than 2,000 cars would be on site, less than during in a normal day in summer.

He later told the panel of councillors that a Gruffalo film evening was also being considered with the possibility of other events, should they be allowed.

Sixteen residents had formally objected to the licence application with only Verwood Town Council writing in favour.

One of the residents who appeared at the hearing, Susan Dunn, said she failed to understand why a family-event needed alcohol sales to make it a success, especially around children in a forest at night.

She said she worried that the year-round licence would allow the park operators to have as many events as they liked once it was granted with no thought for the impact on both the forest wildlife or residents - who would have to suffer extra traffic in the evenings, potentially grid-locking the Horton Road. She said the planned 15-minute arrival times was more likely to prolong traffic problems, rather than reduce it, as the Forestry managers had claimed.

“If the road is gridlocked it will deprive residents and those in the forest of access to critical health care,” she said… It is irresponsible to encourage alcohol consumption and driving especially at a child-focused event,” she said.

She said that if Lego Land and Paulton’s Park did not have alcohol sales she saw no reason why Moors Valley should.

“Whilst we welcome visitors to Dorset we don’t need the council to support an alcohol licence for 364 days a year at a child-centred adventure park.”

The Dorset Council licensing panel will announce its decision within five working days.

Pic – Objectors Valerie Lee and Susan Dunn at the licensing hearing.

Pic – Nik Wardlaw from Forestry England.