The consultation runs from Monday 17 February – Friday 4 April 2025
New Forest District Council is currently reviewing its Local Plan for the area outside of the National Park and we are keen to hear your views on how we should proceed with the strategy.
The Local Plan sets development guidelines, allocates sites, and establishes a vision for the future of the District.
Planning applications are determined against the Local Plan, which typically contains planning policies on a range of matters, including supporting economic growth, protecting and enhancing our natural environment and valued landscapes, addressing and adapting to the impacts of climate change and ensuring that people’s health and wellbeing are protected.
Why are we doing a Local Plan review
Government is encouraging us to continue, and we have a legal requirement to have a local plan in place that is up to date, and progress reviews where they are not.
Issues and Scope Consultation
The Issues and Scope consultation is the first stage in the process for reviewing the Local Plan.
It is an opportunity for the public to comment on what issues they believe are the most pressing for our District (outside of the National Park), as well as put forward possible options we could consider.
What are some of our challenges?
- New housing need figure calculated at 1,501 homes per annum (around 6 times our current completions)
- International and national Nature conservation designations of
- A need to review our Green Belt designation (including new Grey belt definition)
- Areas at risk of flooding or erosion
- We have a number of key freeport sites
- Delivery of key infrastructure at the right time and in the right place
All comments will be considered as we work on the next stage of the Local Plan so that we can best meet the needs of our communities.
How to submit comments
The document can be both be viewed, and comments made on online at:
https://www.newforest.gov.uk/localplan
Copies will also be available to view at New Forest District Council reception at Appletree Court Lyndhurst, as well as local libraries and information centres.
Drop-in sessions will run at the following dates and venues 2.00pm – 7.00pm where you can ask planning officers questions about the consultation and the local plan:
26 February – Fordingbridge – Avonway Community Centre, SP6 1JF
27 February – Lymington – Lymington Community Centre, SO41 9BQ
28 February – Hythe & Dibden – St Andrews Church, Dibden Purlieu, SO45 4PT
3 March – New Milton – New Milton Memorial Centre, BH25 6DE
4 March – Totton – West Totton Community Centre, SO40 8WU
5 March – Marchwood – Lloyd Recreation Hub, Rec Ground, SO40 4SX
7 March – Ringwood – Greyfriars Community Centre, BH24 1DW