Decision statement for the making of the Lymington and Pennington neighbourhood plan
Summary
Document Viewer
DECISION STATEMENT FOR THE MAKING OF THE LYMINGTON AND PENNINGTON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Decision
Following an Independent Examination and a positive referendum result, the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) has decided pursuant to section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Art 2004 and Regulation 19 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, to ‘make’ the Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan (the ‘Plan’). This decision was made at the full New Forest National Park Authority meeting on 26 March 2026.
Background
Lymington and Pennington Town Council submitted its draft Neighbourhood Plan and supporting material to New Forest District Council (NFDC) and the New Forest National Park Authority, as the designated Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Area includes land with both local planning authority areas. An independent examiner was appointed, and his report was received in September 2025. The Examiner’s Report concluded that the draft Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan meets the basic conditions and other legal requirements, subject to modifications.
NFDC and the NFNPA considered the recommendations and modifications contained in the Examiner’s Report. The two local planning authorities for the parish of Lymington and Pennington that the legal requirements and basic conditions have been met.
The Referendum
New Forest District Council held a referendum on the draft Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan on 29 January 2026. A majority (92.5%) of those voting in the referendum voted in favour of the plan. No other issues have become known that would suggest that the planning authorities should decline to make the plan.
The referendum result is as follows:
| Response | Votes recorded | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| YES | 1992 | 92.5% |
| NO | 162 | 7.5% |
| Turnout | 17.1% |
The area covered by the Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan area covers the area of Lymington and Pennington Parish only. This area falls within the New Forest National Park and New Forest District Council for planning purposes.
What this means for the Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan area
In England, development plans are used to set out the planning policies for the development and use of land. Planning applications are determined by local planning authorities such as New Forest District Council and the New Forest National Park Authority. Planning decisions are made in accordance with the adopted development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the development plan for the parish of Lymington and Pennington, which also includes the adopted New Forest National Park Local Plan 2016 – 2036. The Neighbourhood Plan and its policies will be given full weight when assessing planning applications that affect land covered by the Plans.
For further information
This Decision Statement and the ‘made’ Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed online at Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan - New Forest District Council and Neighbourhood planning - New Forest National Park Authority.
Policy Team
New Forest National Park Authority
26 March 2026