A LONG and heated debate about plans to turn the New Forest into a National Park enters a new phase today.

Four parish councils are staging the first in a series of public meetings about the biggest shake-up in the Forest's 1,000-year history.

A large number of people are expected to pack the parish hall in West Street, Hythe, to debate proposals submitted by the Countryside Agency.

The meeting, which starts at 7pm, has been organised by the parish councils at Hythe, Marchwood, Fawley and Lepe.

Hythe parish clerk Brian Beaven said: "The agency has asked parishes in the district to hold public meetings to gauge reaction to its proposals.

"They've suggested that we join forces, which is why the four parish councils on the Waterside have got together to stage tonight's meeting.

"Hopefully at the end of the evening we'll have a clear view of how people think the proposed National Park Authority should be run."

The National Park plan is one of the biggest talking points in the Forest.

It is proving almost as controversial as the proposal by Associated British Ports to build a container terminal at Dibden Bay.

The two issues have been entwined since the Countryside Agency decided to include Dibden Bay in the National Park.

Countryside campaigners acknowledge that the move may not be enough to stop the government giving ABP permission to build the £500m port.

But National Park status is almost certain to provide the rest of the Forest all the ammunition it needs to preserve its famous landscape.

Nevertheless, the scheme is continuing to divide the community.

Supporters say it will help the Forest to tackle mounting pressures that threaten its future, but critics claim the area will be subject to outside interference.

Tonight's meeting coincides with another round of public consultation by the Countryside Agency - and even that is proving controversial.

The three-month exercise is taking place at the height of the summer tourist season.

Many residents are away - and traders are working all hours to rebuild their businesses after the damage inflicted by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis says people must be given more time to submit their views.

But the agency has refused, saying it is working to a strict timetable and needs to ensure it meets all future deadlines.

Dr Lewis claims the decision is further evidence that National Park status will leave the Forest burdened by bureaucracy.

"A National Park Authority will be less responsive to the popular will because it will be fundamentally a non-elected organisation," he said.

"Instead of decisions coming out of the inter-play between separate agencies, many of which comprise elected members, the law will be laid down by a bureaucratic body."

Part of the current controversy centres on fears that existing groups will lose some of their powers.

Critics of the National Park plan say potential victims include the Forest's ancient guardians, the verderers, who administer the commoning system.

But supporters of the Countryside Agency scheme say the area needs an umbrella organisation that will oversee the other groups.

The agency denies that key organisations will suffer at the hands of the new authority.

A spokesman said: "The New Forest Acts give the verderers and the Forestry Commission specific powers and responsibilities.

"These Acts will not be amended by National Park designation, nor by the establishment of a National Park Authority.

"The role of the verderers and the Forestry Commission will not change."

The National Park plan has the full support of Labour's Alan Goodfellow, who stood against Dr Lewis in the recent general election.

Mr Goodfellow said: "Many of the current criticisms are the result of ignorance and political dogma.

"The formation of a National Park Authority won't mean another layer of bureaucracy but another layer of democracy.

"Elected members of the authority will include parish councillors, district councillors and other people with the Forest at heart."

The nationally funded scheme also has the support of Hythe Liberal Democrat councillor Brian Dash, who welcomes the prospect of extra investment in the Forest.

But Mr Dash wants to see a tailor-made National Park as opposed to an off-the-peg solution.

"If the government is serious about devolution, it will create parliamentary time to enable a proper, locally based authority to be created," he said.

It's a view likely to be echoed by many of the people at tonight's meeting.