TEN years ago, Keith Davies was able to turn his lifelong passion for birds of prey into his job, but his business aspirations have now suffered a setback, after Salisbury planners refused him permission to open a falconry breeding and hospital centre on the edge of the New Forest.

Keith (40) and his partner, Karen Woods, were left bitterly disappointed after councillors turned down their plans to breed hawks, owls, and falcons on 11 acres of land off New Road, in Landford.

As well as breeding the birds of prey, the couple planned to treat sick and injured birds on a non-commercial basis, and they have the backing of several bird and animal charities.

But planning policies covering the sensitive edge-of-forest site persuaded members of Salisbury district council's southern area committee to refuse permission.

This week, Keith and Karen put aside their disappointment, saying it was "not the end of the road".

They are arranging to meet council planning officers to work out a fresh application and try to overcome some of the problems.

The couple, who presented their case to the planning meeting, said afterwards that they had some sympathy with the councillors, because it was difficult to overrule officers' recommendations based on planning policies.

"Several of the councillors were behind us," Keith said.

The application was to change the use of agricultural land to a falconry centre, to include three aviaries, an office, a demonstration and lecture room, a rehabilitation hospital, a food-preparation area, a rest room and temporary siting for a caravan.

Planning officers said the site was within the New Forest Heritage Area and could become part of the proposed national park.

The main aim of the business is to breed and sell falcons and hawks, with "experience" days for groups of two to six people involving about four cars a day.

Officers said that, in their opinion, the use of the land as proposed would contravene several New Forest policies.

Keith told the Journal: "We are conservationists - we're not trying to bring lots of people into the forest.

"This would be very low-key."

Keith has been fascinated by birds of prey since he was a young boy.

He said: "About ten years ago, I realised I could make my passion my job.

"I couldn't think of a better job."

When he lost his job with a timber firm, he and Karen set up Forest Falconry, based at their home at Sherfield English.

They taught people how to handle birds of prey before taking them out to fly, but had to travel all over the UK to obtain their birds.

It was then that they decided to breed their own, and they acquired a semi-wooded site at Landford, where they hope to breed about 20 birds at a time.

Keith said: "Not all business ventures are about making lots of money.

"As long as I make enough to survive, I am happy."

He said he believed his venture was small enough not to have any impact on the New Forest.

The application attracted 23 letters of objection

from local residents worried at the impact on local wildlife and the surrounding countryside, and concerned about an increase in traffic.