CONTROVERSIAL plans to close four New Forest car parks during the spring and early summer were expected to be approved today.

The Forestry Comm-ission wants to shut parking areas in the Lymington, Brockenhurst and Burley areas to protect the dwindling number of ground-nesting birds.

Dog-walkers have attacked the proposals, saying they will restrict public access to popular parts of the Forest.

The plans were due to be discussed today at a forum comprising representatives from 22 organisations across the district.

Commission spokesman Peter Thaxter said: "We're very hopeful the forum will accept our proposals which, we trust, strike the right balance between trying to protect the Forest's special wildlife while letting people continue to enjoy the area.

"We recognise that there are some who are very concerned at the prospect of car park closures.

"We have tried to be sensitive to the needs of wildlife and people simultaneously."

The car parks affected are Hincheslea Wood, near Brockenhurst, Crockford and Crockford Clump, near Lymington, and Clayhill, near Burley.

If the scheme goes ahead the sites will be monitored to test the effect the closures are having on birds such as redshanks, snipe and curlews.

Conservation groups such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) support the proposed closures.

RSPB conservation officer Carrie Temple said: "Populations of breeding wading birds have been plummeting across the UK.

"The New Forest now holds almost all the breeding snipe and curlew left in south-east England. It also supports regionally important numbers of redshanks.

"We want people to continue to be able to enjoy these special birds - but this can only happen if they continue to thrive."