Shalfleet Parish Council has welcomed Forestry England’s decision to abandon controversial plans for holiday accommodation at Bouldnor Forest – but has warned that the legal mechanism behind the proposals could still be used elsewhere on the Isle of Wight and across England.
Mike Seddon, Chief Executive of Forestry England, has confirmed the organisation “will not be further progressing the current proposals at Bouldnor for temporary caravans”.
The announcement follows months of opposition from residents, the Bouldnor Forest Group and local councillors over concerns including wildfire risk, wildlife, noise and artificial lighting.
It also comes just days after Isle of Wight councillors gave cross-party support to action over the use of exemptions under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960.
Shalfleet Parish Council has described Forestry England’s withdrawal as a “major victory” for Bouldnor Forest, but says its campaign is not over.
The parish council says it now wants action at a national level over the exemption system which allowed the proposals to progress without a conventional planning application.
Government guidance confirms that eligible recreational organisations can obtain exemption certificates allowing land to be used for camping or caravanning without the usual site licence or planning permission, subject to requirements and other necessary approvals.
The Bouldnor plans first emerged during the summer as part of a partnership between Forestry England and Australian accommodation company Unyoked.
Campaigners subsequently raised concerns about protected species including red squirrels, nightjars and great crested newts, as well as the potential for overnight visitors to increase the risk of wildfires.
Shalfleet Parish Council says the campaign against the proposals brought together residents, environmental groups and politicians, with the Bouldnor Forest Group carrying out species counts, habitat logging and night-time bird monitoring.
It has also praised Councillor Nick Stuart, Richard Grogan of the Isle of Wight National Landscape and Councillor Andrew Garratt, who brought a motion on the issue before the Isle of Wight Council on Wednesday.
That motion secured cross-party support.
The parish council now wants County Hall to use its statutory powers to protect forests and habitats and push nationally for changes to the exemption system.
It is also calling for pressure on Natural England over Unyoked’s exemption certificate and wants the Government and Parliament to consider reforming the legislation.
Under a Paragraph 5 exemption, an eligible organisation can approve sites for use by its members, with no more than 5 caravans stationed for human habitation at any one time. Current Government guidance also says organisations must have systems for consulting neighbours and the relevant local authority before issuing a certificate, as well as inspecting sites and handling public complaints.
Shalfleet Parish Council says Forestry England’s withdrawal does not amount to a commitment that similar proposals will not be pursued elsewhere.
It has also repeated concerns about Natural England’s oversight of exemption certificates and is calling for DEFRA to address the issue.
The parish council argues that the 66-year-old legislation is no longer suitable for the way it says the exemption was being used at Bouldnor.
Councillor Jonathan Hill, of Shalfleet Parish Council, has said:
“Stopping the Bouldnor proposal shows what local people can achieve when they work together. But the wider fight is only beginning.
“Forestry England’s withdrawal does not prevent similar proposals elsewhere on the Isle of Wight or across England. The Caravan Exemption loophole must be closed, Natural England’s oversight failures must be addressed, and DEFRA must ensure that public bodies cannot use a 66-year-old statute to bypass planning in sensitive landscapes.
“I am ready to share everything I have learned to support Isle of Wight Council in achieving these goals.”
Bouldnor Forest Group spokeswoman Samantha Powell has also welcomed the support shown by Isle of Wight councillors.
Samantha has said:
“We asked for the Council to protect all the island forests and we palpably felt their support.
“They immediately grasped the risk to all the island’s forests and the potential for this legal loophole to be exploited in future.”
Shalfleet Parish Council says it will now continue working with residents, councillors, environmental experts and national organisations in pursuit of changes to the exemption system.
