GOVERNMENT minister Elliot Morley has been challenged to visit Brockenhurst to judge the potential impact of plans to swap one of the New Forest's biggest campsites to new grounds.

A scheme to transfer the 600-pitch site in Hollands Wood across the A337 to New Park is being investigated by the Forestry Commission.

Councillors in Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, and Totton - backed by a campaign run by residents - set out to fight the plan even before it reached draft stage.

An anti-New Park campsite petition, signed by 65 per cent of the Brockenhurst electorate, was delivered to the House of Commons in March.

Last week New Forest East MP Julian Lewis followed up with an adjournment debate which allowed him to question Mr Morley directly on the campsite issue.

Dr Lewis, watched by six Brockenhurst residents in the public gallery, told the minister that the village was "overwhelmingly opposed" to the change.

"It will cause a major traffic hazard on a busy trunk road, it will endanger the New Forest Show which takes place each July at New Park, more harm than good will be done to the environment and the local economy of Brockenhurst will be gravely undermined by the facilities available at the new campsite," Dr Lewis told the House.

He said that English Nature, in designating the Hollands Wood campsite as part of a candidate for special area of conservation, were guilty of " a piece of meddlesome stupidity."

He revealed that Hollands Wood, far from being a pristine forest until the campsite was set up in the 1950s, was the village rubbish tip for the previous 20 years.

Mr Morley said New Park was not in a site of special scientific interest or a special area of conservation.

He added that the needs of the New Forest Show were being carefully considered, and he was convinced it was possible to combine the showground and campsite at New Park.

Mr Morley's 15 minutes of reply did not satisfy Brockenhurst residents and councillors who heard him speak.

"Mr Morley has been asked firmly to visit Brockenhurst as soon as possible, before a New Park Campsite planning application is submitted," said parish councillor Nina Ball.