|
Date |
Historical significance |
| |
|
1079 The designation of the New Forest as a Royal Forest by
King William I. |
Introduced Forest Law, which imposed the monarch’s
exclusive ownership of deer and other game and aimed to protect their habitat.
Regulated traditional land uses. |
|
1542 Act |
Creation of the post of Surveyor General of the King’s
Woods to increase their commercial function. This established the basis for the
future exploitation of woodlands for timber, for the “profit of the
King”. |
|
1698 Act for the Increase and Preservation of Timber in the
New Forest |
First large-scale efforts at establishing tree plantations,
through the creation of Inclosures from which livestock were excluded. The Act
also gave statutory recognition to common rights, but resulted in conflicts with
commoners over loss of grazing land. |
|
1808 Act of the Increase and Preservation of Timber in Dean
and New Forests |
Provided for Inclosure of a further 6000 acres of common
land, aimed at reducing the extent of commoning activity |
|
1845 Opening of London to Dorchester railway, which passed
through the New Forest |
Construction of the railway increased recreational access to
the New Forest, and colonization by a monied middle class. Income from sale of
land was used to finance drainage activities, aimed at agricultural improvement.
|
|
1851 Deer Removal Act |
Relinquished the interest of the monarchy in the deer, which
were heavily culled. As compensation, 10,000 acres were enclosed for
establishment of timber plantations in Inclosures, which together with
imposition of Forest Laws, provoked large-scale revolts among commoners and
gentry. Resulted in large-scale introduction of exotic conifer plantations and
drainage works. |
|
1877 New Forest Act |
No further enclosure creation allowed, and no further
Inclosures permitted other than those granted under previous Acts. Reconstituted
the Verderers Court to administer common rights and commoning activities, free
from the influence of the monarchy. |
|
1914-1918, 1939-1945 First and Second World Wars
|
Forest intensively managed for timber production. Extensive
areas of native woodlands felled during 1914-1918, which were then converted to
exotic conifer plantations. Large tracts of land used for airfields, firing
ranges, and food supplies in the Second World War. |
|
1923 Forestry (Transfer of Woods) Act |
Forestry Commission takes over responsibility for management
of New Forest from the monarchy. As a consequence of national forest policy,
this resulted in successive attempts to convert native woodlands to exotic
conifer plantations, exploit native woods commercially, and enclose more land.
|
|
The New Forest Act 1949 |
Act set out requirement for Forestry Commission to maintain
drainage and scrub control for grazing interests, which led to significant
drainage between 1965-1986. Created additional Inclosures (2005 acres).
|
|
The New Forest Act 1964 |
Alteration of the boundary and addition of fencing and
cattle grids to help control livestock movement and prevent accidents.
Introduced obligation for Forestry Commission and Verderers to give due regard
to nature conservation interests. Granted permission to carry out silvicultural
interventions in native woodland. |
|
Woodland crisis 1968-1971 |
Plans developed for extensive clearcutting and commercial
exploitation of native woods, which led to a public outcry. Ministers Mandate
(1971) subsequently introduced, declaring that unenclosed woods were to be
conserved “without regard to timber production objectives”, and
prevented further coniferization of Inclosures. |
|
The New Forest National Park Establishment Order
2005 |
New Forest designated a National Park, implementing a
recommendation made 14 years previously. Also designated as a Special Area of
Conservation (SAC), under the EU Habitats Directive. |