Although the new application reduces the size of the development to 98 chalets, this is still a major development in a small area of woodland. It is also far larger than any of Forest Holidays’ other holiday parks, all of which are located in much larger forests than Black Wood.

In rejecting Forest Holidays’ application last year, Winchester City Council reflected the views of not only the Dever Society, but of Natural England, the Woodland Trust, the Hampshire Wildlife Trust and CPRE that the development would significantly harm the landscape setting, tranquillity and wildlife of this protected ancient woodland. The City Council also agreed with the Society’s concerns that the scheme would generate an unacceptable increase in the amount of traffic on local roads, to the detriment of the environment and the locality.