New Forest District Council Local Plan Review

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.

The consultation runs from Monday, 17 February – Friday, 4 April 2025.

What is a Local Plan

A Local Plan is a document prepared by the local planning authority which shapes how places will continue to change in the future.

As well as setting a vision for the future of the area, a Local Plan sets a strategy for how, when, and where needs of the community will be met. This includes addressing housing needs and provides policies to address specific matters.

In the New Forest, the National Park Authority is responsible for planning decisions within the National Park, and New Forest District Council is responsible for planning decisions in all areas of the district that fall outside the National Park boundary.

Local Plans need to be reviewed by the local planning authority who prepared them every 5 years.

Why are we doing a Local Plan review

Our Cabinet of 7 February 2024 approved the start of a full review of the adopted Local Plan, and this is underway.

Once adopted the Local Plan provides the basis upon which future development proposals are assessed against.

The current programme for the review of our local plan review can be seen in the New Forest District Council Local Development Scheme.

If you would like to be part of these Local Plan Review consultations, you can  provide your details below so you can be notified directly.

https://forms.office.com/e/gPR7fsF83n
 

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
• 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 viewed and commented on online at:

www.newforest.gov.uk/localplan

Copies will also be available to view at NFDC reception at Appletree Court (Lyndhurst), as well as local libraries and information centres.
 

Drop-in Sessions