PLENTY of ideas but no agreement came out of the first public "brainstorming" session on how to run the planned New Forest National Park.

The meeting, in Hythe Parish Hall, was designed to gather local views on the make-up and powers of the proposed park authority. But while some people argued that park status could be the only way of saving the commoning way of life, others were still convinced the whole park plan was a waste of time and money.

Nearly 40 people - a large proportion of them councillors - attended the meeting organised by the four parish councils on the Waterside.

Many were disappointed that the Countryside Agency, which will put the ultimate park plan together, had not supplied a spokesman. "There is no point having the meeting without someone to answer questions. It's a pointless public relations exercise," said Eve Brooks of Holbury.

Terry Gibson, the independent consultant who guided the meeting, explained that its "brainstorming workshop" style had been chosen deliberately to encourage people to contribute their own ideas.

He said: "This is the first meeting of its type and it has been a bit of a gamble but I am pleased with the result.

"The Countryside Agency wants to know local views on the membership of the park authority, how you see the land and the visitors being managed, and how everyone will work together.

"You say what should be done. It's your meeting and you say what you want the authority to do."

People expressed their concerns with a forest of Post-It notes which they stuck on the walls of the hall.

These included concern for the animals of the Forest which made the Forest unique, ponies having priority over traffic, national park funds would halt the decline of commoning, restricting cars and making over some roads just for cyclists and walkers.

Others felt that more local people rather than councillors should be involved, the authority must be able to control vested interests and members should be elected and accountable."

But the style of the meeting did not suit everybody. Councillor Allan Glass from Fawley said: "From what I've seen they still have no idea what they are going to do. It will be a hell of a mess."

Further consultation meetings on the structure of the park authority have been organised.

They take place on September 3 from 11am to 5pm at the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, on September 4 at 7pm in Burley Village Hall, Burley and on September 7 at 7pm in Boldre Memorial Hall, Boldre.