About us

The New Forest National Park Authority is an independent organisation operating in a local government framework and funded by central government.

It has 22 members who have overall responsibility for making decisions, for setting policies and priorities and for making sure that resources are used properly.

They are supported by 70 staff with expertise across a range of disciplines including planning, conservation, recreation, education, finance and communications.

The Authority’s interim headquarters is at South Efford House near Lymington in Hampshire just outside the National Park boundary.  The Authority is working with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to find a permanent base within the National Park or very close to it.