Why, after many years of comment from local people and recently the campaign by The British Horse Society, does the Forestry Commission continue to discriminate against horse riders by demanding payment for permits for access to this public property and the continuation of Byelaw xiii which makes it an offence to lead or ride a horse?

Even when permits are purchased this bears no entitlement to a special facility or provision, but only entitles the bearer to use the same tracks and trails used by everyone else for free.

This means that in the summer months when parts of the forest are busy no advantage can be taken of the permit simply because the nature of the horse requires a tranquil environment. The proposed site is in the middle of several segments of woodland which causes an obstruction in that it is difficult/impossible to avoid the busy area.

The permit is by way of a contract and yet when a path needs repair it is simply removed from the permit and no repairs are done. Existing paths are allowed to overgrow and are not maintained. The exits and entrances are too narrow so that one can hurt ones knees on the posts. 'Cycle only' paths now take away from useable tracks around the quieter perimeter of the forest.

The A325 which transects Alice Holt Forest has a crossing facility for cyclists but despite many requests for a controlled crossing facility, horse riders are told it is too dangerous to cross in any case and the Local Highway Authority says it may cause 'tail end shunts' for motorists !!

The surrounding single track carriageway country lanes have a speed limit of 60mph which is not a safe speed to travel and is not considerate of the safety of non-motorised users. This problem is compounded by the numerous visitors by motor vehicle to the forest's large car parks. (Alice Holt) 300,000 per annum.

You will remember that very recently I wrote to you about the Police having been called by the Forestry Commission to arrest horse riders who did not have permits.

I would like an explanation as to why I, who fit the 'protected characteristics' (Page 8 fourth para.Equality and Diversity) in more sense than one since I am elderly, hard of hearing with reduced mobility due to arthritic knees, am unable to access Alice Holt Forest by the only possible means available to me, on horse back, without a permit and without the constant fear of harassment by assiduous Forestry Commission staff?

There are quick and easy wins to be gained for the public as a result of this application, especially with regard to the proposed Shipwrights Way. I do hope the planners will take every opportunity to see that these are achieved.