New Forest CDA’s presentment at Verderers Court over Bolton’s Bench food van

The New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA) has urged Verderers to refuse the renewal of a licence for a food van at Bolton’s Bench in Lyndhurst.

Speaking at the court of Verderers on Wednesday, October 21, chair Andrew Parry-Norton reiterated the Association’s long-standing objections to food vans operating in New Forest car parks.

He warned that food vans could increase the risk of interactions between visitors and Commoners’ livestock.

The CDA previously made a presentment to the Verderers in March 2024, asking them to reject Forestry England’s application to site food vans in Forest car parks. Andrew told the Court that nothing had changed to alter the CDA’s position.

Read the full presentment below.

Potential food sales in car parks

New Forest Commoners’ Defence Asssociation presentment

‘Good morning official Verderer, Verderers and court members.

‘On the 20^th March 2024 we made a presentment requesting the Verderers reject the application from Forestry England for the siting of food vans in the Forest car parks. Nothing has changed to make us review our objections.

‘We understand the Verderers are now considering the renewal of the licence for Bolton’s Bench.

‘Bolton’s Bench is hot spot for visitors, ponies gather in the locality in numbers far exceeding the grazing that is available. This can only be contributed to the visitors feeding the ponies, each year we receive reports of stock interactions in ever increasing numbers.

‘Bolton’s Bench is surrounded by car parks and a short walk from the High Street, here in Lyndhurst.

‘Adding a food van into this volatile mix will only increase the risk to the public, possibly the removal of a pony and the Commoner facing legal action being taken against them.

‘Other than Forestry England trying to make money there is absolutely no justification to allow the food van to be granted a licence.  The High Street is full of small independent cafes, shops and pubs. The public can enjoy a wide variety of drinks and foods completely safe from stock, within a few minutes walk of any of the car parks.

‘The Commoning community has many issues to deal with, campsites, road traffic accidents and financial difficulties, adding an additional risk cannot be allowed.

‘We, the CDA, ask the Verderers to uphold their commitment to protect Commoners, put the Forest first and not to give in to pressure by Forestry England trying to make small monetary gains.

‘Stick to your values and refuse the renewal of the licence application.’