About Us
Friends of Ringwood Forest
(FoRF) is a community driven pressure group run by volunteers.
We lead the "No To Purple Haze" campaign which
has a growing Interest Group of supporters (3,400+ in
December 2013) drawn from numerous UK & International
locations - email "JOIN" to info@forf.org.uk
. We are governed by a Constitution.
Campaign planning is directed towards achieving the long
term aims set out below. Our day to day activities focus
in the main, but not exclusively, on sharing information
about the most effective means of challenging any bad
decisions which could affect our aims. Experience shows
that this approach enables people to connect directly
with democratic processes, for example - in 2011, 4,100+
comments were submitted concerning Hampshire's Minerals
& Waste Plan.
We also comment on Planning Applications relating to
Ringwood Forest and nearby locations where access to,
and enjoyment of, public open spaces could be considered
to be at risk.
Our long term aims are to campaign to:
a) protect the forests and heathland of Hampshire &
Dorset, in particular Ringwood Forest and heathland, for
the recreational use and amenity of residents and visitors,
b) safeguard these open spaces, their natural ecosystems
and the biodiversity they support, and the tranquillity
and quality of life they offer particularly to local residents
both now and for future generations,
c) protect Ringwood Forest, including its important pockets
of heathland, from development including mineral extraction,
landfill and any after use that does not restore the fully
functional natural ecosystems of the area.
So far -
- contributed significantly on issues concerning both
Blue Haze & Purple Haze
in our responses
to Hampshire's public consultation on their Minerals
& Waste Plan
- contributed undoubtedly in 2011 to the reversal of
Hampshire's plans to extend the landfill site known
as Blue Haze located on the
B3081 between Verwood and Ringwood.
- exploited social media and other channels to share
news with all supporters & the general public. Have
a look at our Newsletters and
follow us on Facebook and Twitter - see right hand menu
for links.
- discussed Interest Group concerns with, amongst others,
the landowner, site operators, County/DistrictTown Councillors,
local authority officers, fellow campaign groups, local
legal advisors (pro bono support), the local Chamber
of Trade, a lead London law firm (BDB) and international
quarry/landfill design & hydrology consultants (GWP).
- received support for our campaigns from the Woodland
Trust, the Open Spaces Society & the RSPB
- established close working relationships with the Association
of Verwood Residents (AVR) and the Verwood
Local Action Group (VLAG).
lobbied successfully at all local government levels
to drive improvements to communications about public
consultations relating to planning processes
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