NFNPA Update June 2026 CP
Summary
Document Viewer
Consultative Panel
11 June 2026
Nigel Stone
Head of Resources
Greener, Wilder and More Accessible
New Forest National Park
Local Plan Review – next steps
- 220 square miles
- 34,400 residents
- 2,500 businesses
- Over 600 nationally listed buildings
- Over 2,000 assets on the ‘Local List’
- 20 Conservation Areas
- 56% designated as internationally important for nature conservation
- Housing need of circa 260 new dwellings per annum
- Highest house prices of all 15 UK National Parks
New Forest National Park
Local Plan Review – Timetable
| Stage | Indicative Date |
|---|---|
| Public consultation on Regulation 18 draft Local Plan | November – December 2025 |
| Further revisions to draft Local Plan in light of representations received and further evidence base work | Spring / early Summer 2026 |
| Publication of Submission draft Local Plan (Regulation 19) for final 6-week period of public consultation | August to September 2026 |
| Submission of the draft Plan and support evidence to the Secretary of State for independent examination | December 2026 |
| Independent examination of the draft Plan, the supporting evidence base and the representations received (culminating in the binding Inspector’s Report to the NPA) | 2027 |
A326 planning application update
- A326 applications now validated and available online on the NFNPA and HCC planning websites. The proposed scheme is for a series of link and junction capacity improvements of circa 9km in total
- The application site is cross-boundary. In these cases, national legislation requires applications to be submitted to the National Park Authority and Hampshire County Council, who are the determining authorities for their respective elements of the applications
- New Forest District Council and the relevant Town & Parish Councils are consultees for the application, but not decision-makers
- This is a ‘major application’ and is accompanied by a detailed Environmental Statement and other supporting information
A326 planning application update
NFNPA application reference:
26/00424
HCC application reference:
HCC/2026/0213
NFNPA consultation closes 6 July 2026
Major Development Updates
Public consultation on the future or the former Fawley Power Station site due to take place in next few months.
ABP have slowed work on Solent Gateway 2 – the subject of an emerging NSIP proposal
Vernon Dene update
- History - In November 2023 the Authority revoked a Certificate of Lawful Use in relation to the use of the site as a ‘caravan site’ – covering the storage and occupation of caravans. The original Certificate was granted in 2008
- Decision to revoke taken to Judicial Review by the site owners – Authority won in the High Court in 2025; subsequently taken to Court of Appeal and the Authority lost its case in April 2026
- Court decision was not about the action taken by the Authority, but criticised the Authority / Senior Officer processes in determining it – perception of bias towards the community groups, not a full & balanced report presented to Members
- Authority took further legal advice and has decided not to appeal the CoA decision. Authority liable for its own legal costs, plus 70% of theirs – figure TBC
- There is still an ongoing and separate Planning Enforcement Case at the site, due to be heard by the Planning Inspectorate later in 2026
Partnership Plan 2027-2032
What is it?
- Plan for the place (not our Authority) - actions and outcomes agreed by key Forest partners and monitored by an officers group and leaders panel
Details:
- Was widely refreshed and reformatted for 2022-27
- Need to consider on-the-ground changes since this time
- Consider impacts of Devolution & Local Govt Re-organisation
- 160+ page Defra guidance on ‘Management Plans’
Timescales / Opportunities to get involved:
New Forest Youth Board
Mission statement: To represent the voices of young people, to share the future of the New Forest.
Founded in September 2024
So far:
- 15 members, 18-30yrs
- Over 1,000 hours volunteered since launch
- Engagement across major events in National Park
- Representing our views in decision making spaces
- Planning and running activities e.g. guided walks
- Conducted Young Person’s Survey to engage with target audience
Current projects:
- Published first newsletter to engage with wider youth audience.
- Sign up to receive updates from the board!
- Planning and preparing activities and materials to take to events eg. New Forest Thrive Festival, New Forest Show
- Developing social media content with the NPA comms team to enhance the Youth Board’s digital presence.
Email: youthboard@newforesnpa.gov.uk to get in touch!
Species Survival Fund
Complete
£1.3m Project with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, Freshwater Habitats Trust, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, New Forest Commoners Defence Association and Wild New Forest, with additional support from the RSPB and the New Forest Biodiversity Forum.
- Sharing understanding and expertise
- Wide use of communication channels about habitats, species and commoning (38,000 engagements over 160 public events, utilising 400+ volunteers)
-
Supported the 30x30 initiative:
- Enhanced nature on over 300+ hectares via 31 sites
- 26 acres of new meadows, 22,000 wildflower plugs planted, 200kg+ of seeds sown and nearly 1,000m of new hedgerows
- 41 ponds created or restored
- Removal of invasive species from woodlands.
NPA General Updates
New Members – following the local elections in May, the Authority welcomes Fran Carpenter, Jack Davies, Martin Eyre and Dan Poole.
PedALL – Pass the Pedall 2026 fundraiser, Wednesday 17th June from 8am at Burley, looking to raise £10k – see JustGiving site
Landscape Connections – £10m lottery funding over 10 years, we have been successful with an Expression of Interest, full bid being developed for submission in late Summer (18mth further development phase and 8-year delivery)
Upcoming Summer Period – Could be even busier than usual due to stay-cations, with partners we will be running our usual Care for the Forest engagement and campaigns.
Thank You
Any Questions??
Contact Me:
Nigel Stone
01590 646655
nigel.stone@newforestnpa.gov.uk