CAMPAIGNERS have won the first round of their battle to prevent part of a sports field being turned into a car park.

Members of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) have rejected an application to provide parking for 18 cars by covering part of Boldre Recreation Ground with gravel.

They claimed that poor visibility splays either side of the exit meant that vehicles emerging from the site would cause a serious safety hazard.

The application had sparked 17 letters of objection from locals worried about a potential increase in the amount of traffic using Burnt House Lane.

A petition raised by villagers said: "In these times of austerity and protecting green spaces, it’s disgraceful that the parish council wants to spend thousands of pounds on building a car park.

"Burnt House Lane, a narrow road used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, is not suitable for providing access to a car park."

Richard Frampton was one of only two NPA members who voiced strong support for the application.

Dismissing suggestions that extra parking should be provided at Boldre Memorial Hall, he said: "The hall has got nothing to do with the recreation ground. If the parish council says they need it, then they need it – and it’s our duty to support them."

Fellow NPA member John Sanger said: "There must be dozens of ‘dangerous’ entrances and exits all over the New Forest.

"It’s a matter of proportion. Let’s not use the same sort of test that would be applied to a dual carriageway in Eastleigh."

Parish councillors said the gateway was already used by vehicles and had not been the scene of any accidents.

In a statement to the NPA they confirmed that parking was available at the memorial hall but highlighted the problems that often occurred when a football match coincided with a function in the building.

They added: "Boldre Parish Council feels that a car park created specifically for users of its facilities will make a vast improvement."

However, highways officer Gary Williams said that the proposed development would increase the use of an access that provided "sub-standard" visibility.

NPA member David Harrison said: "It would be risky to approve something our expert on highway safety tells us could create a hazard."

Now campaigners must wait to discover if the parish council will lodge an appeal or submit a revised scheme.