THE organisation that runs the New Forest National Park is breaching planning laws – despite trying to push through tough new regulations for residents.

Campaigners have accused the National Park Authority (NPA) of double standards after it was revealed that planning permission to use South Efford House, Lymington, as its headquarters has expired.

New Forest District Council gave it consent to stay at the former horticultural research centre, pictured above, until December 31. The NPA has asked to remain in the building for a further three years.

However, the application was not submitted until last month, just before the deadline, and will not be debated by the council until February at the earliest.

That means the NPA is currently using South Efford House without official consent.

The breach comes just months after the organisation published controversial proposals including curbs on dog walking, tougher restrictions on keeping horses and the possible road tolls.

Forest Uprising, formed to fight the plans, has reacted angrily to the revelation.

S p o k e s m a n Paul Bignell said: “It’s double standards and hypocrisy. If they are to be taken seriously as the planning authority for the National Park, you would expect them to have their own house in order – but they have not.”

The NPA has also come under fire from within its own ranks. One member, who asked not to be named, said: “You can’t have one rule for the NPA and another rule for everyone else. If this were Joe Bloggs down the road, we’d be jumping on them.”

A council spokesman confirmed that the NPA was breaching planning rules.

The organisation said: “The authority has submitted an application to extend its temporary planning permission for the South Efford site for a further three years. We have agreed with our landlords an extension to our lease to run for the same period.

“We continue to work with the Department of Food and Rural Affairs and remain confident that a permanent building can be settled within the next three years.”

The statement makes no reference to the NPA’s breach of planning laws.

South Efford House is outside the park, which is why planning permission is needed from the council.