Brian Blessed blasts New Forest port plan

14th July 2002 

Photo opportunity:

Brian Blessed will be available with Vicki Elcoate, Director of the Council for National Parks, at Hythe Pier head on Sunday 14th July at 3 pm for a photo opportunity, to highlight the potential effects of the Dibden Bay proposal.

Council for National Parks (CNP)¹ President and leading actor Brian Blessed ² expressed his horror when he visited Dibden Bay, the site proposed for a new container port in the New Forest today (Sunday July 14th).

"Now I’ve seen this lovely spot I don’t understand how this plan could even come forward. It makes my blood boil", said Brian Blessed. "It is an internationally important wildlife site and is being proposed as part of the first new National Park in England³ of the 21st century".

"The port would destroy the last remaining substantial stretch of open country next to Southampton Water and create a major road through an area which is due to become a National Park within a couple of years. This is no way to treat such a treasured and valuable landscape" he said.

CNP is one of over 7000 objectors to the port, 177 of whom are appearing at a Public Inquiry into the proposal. The development is being promoted by Associated British Ports. CNP’s planning expert, Ruth Chambers, gives evidence to the Inquiry in September.

"The rule is that major developments like this should only be allowed to go ahead in National Parks if there is a national need and no alternatives" explained Brian. "The Dibden Bay proposals fail this strict test on both counts, as well as being very environmentally damaging, and should therefore be refused permission by the Secretary of State".

Notes to editors

The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all. The Dibden Bay Public Inquiry is currently underway.
Brian Blessed is currently appearing in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.
The New Forest National Park designation process is well underway. Public consultations have ended and the Countryside Agency submitted a Draft Designation Order to the Secretary of State in February. The Public Inquiry into the Draft Designation Order for the New Forest National Park opens on 8th October and is expected to last six months.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222