New homes near the New Forest National Park are subject to a £600 charge

The New Forest’s revised mitigation strategy was agreed by councilors to reduce pressure from local people on the national park’s protected sites, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Councilor Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said the herbivores roaming the New Forest had an “incredibly beneficial” impact on the site’s ecology, creating a “unique environment” that attracts people.

He added that this puts “significant pressure” on the area.

The New Forest protected sites comprise the New Forest Special Protection Area (SPA), the New Forest Special Area of ​​Conservation (SAC) and the New Forest Ramsar.

These international statutory wildlife designations are legally protected, meaning that Wiltshire Council must provide an appropriate strategy to mitigate the negative consequences of nearby development.