FAWLEY and Holbury have the worst unemployment rate in the New Forest, a public inquiry was told.

It was claimed that including part of the parish in the New Forest National Park would hinder attempts to create more jobs in the area.

The two-day inquiry has been triggered by the government's decision to redraw the proposed National Park boundary.

Rural affairs minister Alun Michael has ruled that the protected zone should be extended to include Fawley Power Station and land at Badminston Farm.

The main speaker at the opening session of the inquiry was Clive Rutland, representing John Hinton, the farm's owner.

Mr Rutland said Fawley and Holbury had the highest unemployment rate in the Forest and needed extra employment sites.

He said the land at Badminston Farm was a brownfield site next to the power station, making it an ideal area for employment use.

The surveyor warned that the parish was likely to stagnate if the land were placed in the National Park.

"Its inclusion within the boundary would increase the restrictions on the development of the site, putting a further limit on employment prospects," said Mr Rutland.

"The lack of potential employment land would lead to economic decline. This particular area does not support tourism and the prospect of it becoming stagnant and isolated is high."

Mr Rutland said the land was too ugly to be included in the scheme.

In a written statement to the inquiry, representatives from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the 15-acre area should be included because it met all the National Park criteria.

The inquiry resumes tomorrow, when objections to the inclusion of the power station will be heard.