AFTER more than 1,000 years of history, today marks a new beginning for the New Forest.
Thousands of residents are waking up to analyse the impact of the government announcement yesterday to make the New Forest Britain's newest National Park.
But the decision has not come without its controversy with many residents, civic chiefs and business leaders dismayed at crucial areas left outside the boundary.
Dibden Bay has been left open to fresh development bids after missing out on the vital protection which would have been afforded by National Park status.
Market towns Lymington and Ringwood were told they would not be inside the exclusive new park.
Jane Clarke, mayor of Lymington and Pennington, said: "This could be a sad day for the market towns."
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