Welcome to Fordingbridge Town Council
Our Current Meetings
Finance and Policy
All meetings are held in the Town Hall at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated on the agenda.
Our Latest Minutes
Fordingbridge Town Council’s response to New Forest District Council’s 2026 Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation.
It outlines the Town Council’s views on the scale of development being considered around Fordingbridge and the planning issues that it believes need to be addressed before any decisions are made.
The response discusses the potential impact of the proposed growth options on infrastructure, transport, schools, healthcare, flood risk, ecology, landscape and heritage.
It also highlights the importance of considering the combined effect of multiple development sites rather than assessing each one in isolation.
The page also sets out why the Town Council believes the Fordingbridge Neighbourhood Plan should play an important role in shaping how the town develops, including matters such as design, green spaces, connectivity and local infrastructure priorities.
Overall, it is a detailed statement of the Town Council’s position, calling for careful planning, stronger supporting evidence and meaningful community involvement as the Local Plan process moves forward.
New Forest District Council Local Plan Review – Issues and Scope Consultation – Fordingbridge Town Council Representations
Fordingbridge Town Council responds to New Forest District Council’s Local Plan Review “Issues and Scope” consultation. It welcomes early involvement, but asks for more transparent, ongoing engagement with parish and town councils, including face-to-face meetings, so decisions and evidence are clearly explained.
The Council wants a more balanced Plan with a clearer vision for Fordingbridge, and a shorter 15–20 year timeframe. It urges “brownfield first”, greater consideration of grey belt and an updated Green Belt review.
It questions Fordingbridge’s “sustainable” status given limited transport, services and jobs, and stresses infrastructure must be delivered alongside development.
Hampshire Highways: Utility Roadworks, Responsibilities and How to Report Problems
Hampshire Highways co-ordinates and monitors roadworks to reduce disruption, but utility companies generally have legal rights to work on public roads.
The Council can set permit conditions (e.g., timing and traffic management) and provides links for residents to report common road problems.
Annual Governance and Accountability Returns 2024/2025
Families Call for Major Upgrade to Local Play Area, Survey Reveals
Following a community survey regarding the amenities at Whitsbury Road Play Park, please see the results and comments.
Local Plan Review – Issues and Scope Consultation
This document presents Fordingbridge Town Council’s response to the New Forest District Council’s Local Plan Review – Issues and Scope Consultation.
The Town Council emphasises the need for meaningful engagement and transparency throughout the Local Plan’s development, particularly regarding decisions that affect local communities. Key concerns include ensuring a balanced approach that does not prioritise housing at the expense of wider place-making, infrastructure, and the environment.
The Council calls for a clear vision for Fordingbridge, a review of the settlement hierarchy, and a focus on brownfield and “grey belt” sites over continued outward expansion.
It also highlights the importance of delivering affordable homes, protecting green spaces, and ensuring that infrastructure and services keep pace with development.
The document stresses the need for early and ongoing dialogue between the District and Town Councils, especially as Fordingbridge develops its own Neighbourhood Plan, to ensure local needs and aspirations are fully reflected in future planning decisions.
Flood Recovery and Reporting Update
Heavy rainfall from Storms Eowyn and Herminia has caused widespread flooding across Wessex, affecting homes, businesses, and communities. Residents are encouraged to use the Check-for-Flooding service for updates and report any property flooding as soon as possible via Dorset Council’s flood reporting tool.
A Flood Recovery Guide is available to assist with clean-up, insurance, and resilience planning, and communities are urged to share it widely. Businesses can access resources on flood preparedness and recovery, including handbooks and resilience guides. Signing up for Flood Warnings can help mitigate future risks.
Fordingbridge Town Council Reiterates Objections to Midgham Farm Allocation
Fordingbridge Town Council believes Hampshire County Council ignored fundamental objections to Midgham Farm’s inclusion in the updated Minerals and Waste Plan.
Citing risks to Bournemouth Airport’s safeguarding zone, ecological harm, and severe impacts on nearby residents’ health and property, the Council insists Midgham Farm is an unsuitable site for gravel extraction.
M27 Junction 10 improvement scheme
Hampshire County Council has launched an e-newsletter to keep the community informed about the latest developments, traffic management updates, and important information related to the project.
For further information and to sign up to the newsletter, please visit the following link:
https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/m27junction10
About Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Forde.
The River Avon runs through the town which lies 13 miles south of Salisbury.
To the east is the New Forest and to the west are the Western Downlands and Cranborne Chase. The current population is approximately 6000 people.
The first Great Bridge, from which the town received its present name, was built in mediaeval times prior to 1252.
It is built of local stone and has a total of 7 arches spanning the river.
Although it has been subject to various works over the years it remains a major feature of the town.
A bronze statue of the controversial painter, Augustus John, stands on the banks of the Avon near the Great Bridge.
The town enjoys a beautiful park where visitors and locals can take advantage of the river, the children’s play area, skate park, secluded memorial gardens and sports playing fields.
Since 1982 Fordingbridge has been twinned with Vimoutiers in Normandy.
It is also home to Fordingbridge Turks FC, one of the 50 oldest football clubs in England, established circa 1868.
Fordingbridge Town Council is politically independent and has 12 elected councillors who are accountable to the electors of the town.
Currently we have 8 members of staff and the annual precept for 2020/21 is approximately £230,000.
As a Town Council we are the first layer of local government.
Our aim is to engage local people and respond to their needs, through representation as community advocates and by providing services such as parks and open spaces.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Fordingbridge Town Council is responsible for the provision and maintenance of our recreation ground, parks, children’s play areas, playing fields, allotments and cemeteries at Stuckton and the closed cemetery of St Mary’s Church. In addition to the management of these open spaces, we also maintain the Town Hall, Sports Pavilion, Riverside Café and toilets and the War Memorial.
We operate Fordingbridge Information Office which is your local face to face contact point for help and advice on all issues relating to our town. We administer a range of functions on behalf of the New Forest District Council including housing benefit, council tax reduction, waste/recycling, planning, sale of parking clocks and refuse sacks, payment of council tax, council rents and much more. We are a referring agent for Food Bank Vouchers and we also provide visitor information.
The activities the town council is involved in are varied and diverse. We have a range of functions including representative powers and must be notified by the District or County Council of all planning applications in our area, proposals to carry out works and surveys etc. We liaise with relevant authorities regarding infrastructure, policing, community issues and represent the views and needs of the community.
COST OF LIVING
RESOURCES
HELP IS AVAILABLE
ROAD
CLOSURES
Local roadworks are available from the One.Network
PARKING
CLOCKS
GET YOUR 2026 PARKING CLOCKS
