RESIDENTS, councillors and commoners have pitched in together to do battle against plans to relocate one of the New Forest's biggest campsites from woodland to a huge open field.

Last week saw two specially arranged meetings in Brockenhurst - a public meeting and a private parish council meeting - denounce the Forestry Commission's controversial scheme to close the 600-pitch Hollands Wood campsite and move it across the A337 to fields at New Park Farm.

And even though the commission announced it was downgrading its original plans from 980 pitches to 600, those at the public meeting were adamant the scheme still posed a major threat to business, farming, wildlife and the famous New Forest Show, which is staged at New Park.

Residents' opposition was given added weight when a specially convened meeting of Brockenhurst Parish Council on Saturday backed their views.

Resident Andrew Mitchell told the public meeting that sites in and around Brockenhurst had 1,860 of the commission's 3,320 pitches and added: "The rest of England has 1,400 so we've got more than the rest of England put together."

Colonel Peter Sweet, of the Commoners' Defence Association, warned that hundreds of campers making their way across forest land to the village would "do untold damage" to cattle, ponies, and deer.

He and other speakers also feared that if the commission had a site at New Park, it would have its own shopping and other facilities which would take trade from village shops.

Veteran New Forest commoner, and life-long Brockenhurst resident, Archie Cleveland, said there were once seven family farms in the village but New Park Farm - leased to the Korbey family by the Commission - was the only one left.

"If this Forestry Commission plan comes about, that is the final nail in forest family farming."

But the commission stressed it was consulting with interested parties and its statement added: "As custodian of New Park, the commission places great importance in the long-term well-being of New Park and safeguarding the interests of local communities, important conservation sites and the wider environment."

The Forestry Commission is expected to submit a planning application to New Forest District Council early next year, following a public consultation.