AM 740/26 – Annex 3.2 – Regulation 18(2) Consultation Statement
Summary
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Consultation Statement
Regulation 18 Part 2
New Forest National Park
Local Plan Review 2024 - 2043
July 2026
Introduction
1.1 The New Forest National Park Authority has undertaken a review of the local planning policies covering the National Park – currently within the New Forest National Park Local Plan 2016 - 2036 (adopted August 2019). This review is in response to changes in national policy and the experiences of applying the adopted planning policies for the past five years. However, it is important to emphasise that many key aspects of national planning policy, guidance and law relating to National Parks remain unaltered from the time the adopted Local Plan was prepared, examined and adopted. Therefore, the Authority has undertaken a partial review of the Local Plan rather than preparing a new Local Plan.
1.2 The revised Local Plan will form a key part of the statutory ‘development plan’ for the National Park and will continue to guide decisions on planning applications submitted within the Park. The Local Plan will set out detailed planning policies and allocations that seek to deliver the two statutory National Park purposes and related socio-economic duty, together with the newly introduced (December 2024) Protected Landscape Duty, which requires the relevant authorities to ‘seek to further’ the statutory purposes.
Purpose of this Statement
2.1 This Statement of Consultation has been prepared to comply with Regulation 22 (1)(c) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
2.2 It sets out how the Authority (New Forest National Park Authority) has undertaken community participation and stakeholder involvement in the production of the New Forest National Park Local Plan Review in accordance with Regulation 18, the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and Local Development Scheme (LDS) in place at the time.
This statement follows a further round of consultation under Regulation 18 and should be read in conjunction with the previous Consultation Statement published in November 2025: Local Plan Reg 18 (Part 1) Consultation statement – New Forest National Park.
2.3 Before the Authority can submit the Local Plan Review to the Secretary of State for examination, it must comply with the requirements of Regulation 22(1)(c), which is set out as follows:
2.4 This statement has therefore been prepared to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Regulation 22 (1)(c) and that consultation on the preparation of the Local Plan Review has been undertaken in accordance with the relevant Regulations, the adopted Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and Local Development Scheme (LDS) in place at the time.
2.5 Consultation on a full draft Local Plan Review was undertaken for six weeks between 5 November to 19 December 2025. This statement reflects the comments received and how the Authority has responded to the main issues raised.
Duty to Cooperate
2.6 The “Duty to Cooperate” was introduced by Section 33A of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004). Section 110 of the Localism Act (2011) sets out the requirements of the duty to cooperate as per Section 33A, in relation to Submission of documents and information to the Secretary of State
22.(1) The documents prescribed for the purposes of section 20(3) of the Act are—
- the sustainability appraisal report;
- a submission policies map if the adoption of the local plan would result in changes to the adopted policies map;
-
a statement setting out—
- which bodies and persons the local planning authority invited to make representations under regulation 18,
- how those bodies and persons were invited to make representations under regulation 18,
- a summary of the main issues raised by the representations made pursuant to regulation 18,
- how any representations made pursuant to regulation 18 have been taken into account;
- if representations were made pursuant to regulation 20, the number of representations made and a summary of the main issues raised in those representations; and
- if no representations were made in regulation 20, that no such representations were made;
- copies of any representations made in accordance with regulation 20; and
- such supporting documents as in the opinion of the local planning authority are relevant to the preparation of the local plan.
2.6 the planning of sustainable development. It places a legal duty on Local Planning Authorities, County Councils and prescribed public bodies to engage constructively, actively, and on an ongoing basis to maximise the effectiveness of a local plan in the context of strategic cross boundary matters.
2.7 On 25 March 2026, through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, the duty was abolished and it is no longer a requirement for Local Planning Authorities to cooperate and engage on cross boundary issues.
2.8 However, since work on reviewing the Local Plan began in early 2025, the Authority has used this as an opportunity for proactive engagement and to address issues identified through the review process, reflecting a consistent approach towards public consultations and notwithstanding changes to legislation.
2.9 Engagement has taken place to date with both neighbouring local authorities and prescribed bodies. Further details are set out in the Duty to Cooperate Statement published with the draft Local Plan for consultation.
Regulation 18 Part 2 Consultation
Publication
3.1 Approval was given during the Authority meeting on 16 October 2025 for publication of the draft Local Plan review for consultation.
3.2 The consultation commenced on 5 November 2025 and ran until 19 December 2025. Together with numerous local interest groups, all statutory and general consultation bodies (211 recipients, Appendix 2), were notified of the start of the consultation, as set out in planning legislation. Details were supplied of when and where documentation would be made publicly available, and how they could respond (Appendix 5). This notification had a successful open rate of 56.8% and engagement score of 8.4/10.
- A public notice was issued and published in both the Lymington Times and the New Milton Advertiser on 7 November 2025 for one week (Appendix 4).
- Articles were also included in the Autumn/Winter 2025 version of New Forest publication ‘Park Life’ https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/publications/, which had a readership of 51,250 (Appendix 6). Park Life is produced twice a year, in conjunction with the Lymington Times. 20,500 Autumn/Winter copies were produced and of these, 12,500 were circulated alongside the Lymington Times and 8,000 distributed by National Park Authority rangers at visitor attractions. Copies were distributed together with the Lymington Times, and 10,000 to visitor attractions. A digital version was also made available on the National Park website.
- The New Forest eNewsletter has 27,000 recipients and published details of the Local Plan consultation and how to respond on 14 November 2025 and during early December 2025 (Appendices 8 and 9).
- A press release was issued on 5 November 2025 to 171 news outlets, including local and national media, and community magazines (Appendix 3). Available to view on the Authority’s website, it received nearly 300 views: Planning for the future of the New Forest National Park: Have your say on the Local Plan Review – New Forest National Park Authority.
- Over the course of the consultation, 41 related social media posts were published across NPA Facebook channels, including Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. The posts had a reach of 114,545 people, with 4,464 people engaging with the posts (liking, sharing, commenting or clicking on links). An average engagement rate of 3.9% was achieved, which is well above the local government average of 1.1%; the top tagged publishes posts are set out at Appendix 12.
- The NPA website’s news page was updated in early November 2025 to show details of the drop-in events occurring across the New Forest and attended by members of the Planning team (Appendix 11). A video (available to watch on YouTube: New Forest National Park Local Plan review) was also provided as part of consultation activities.
3.3 The draft Local Plan and key supporting information were available for inspection at the Authority’s during normal office hours in Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington, SO41 9ZG; and online at: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/LocalPlan2025.
3.4 In addition, an online consultation event was held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 26 November 2025, between 4.30pm – 5.30pm. The presentation can be viewed here. Several in-person public drop-in events were also held across the National Park to enable people to speak to planning staff and find out more about the Local Plan review:
- Redlynch Village Hall Tuesday 2 December 2025, 2pm – 7pm
- Colbury Memorial Hall Thursday 4 December 2025, 2pm – 7pm
- Sway Village Hall Friday 5 December 2025, 2pm – 7pm
- Lyndhurst Community Centre Tuesday 9 December 2025, 2pm – 7pm
- Landford Methodist Hall Friday 12 December 2025, 2pm – 7pm
Photographs taken at the Ashurst/Colbury drop-in event
at Colbury Memorial Hall on 4 December 2026.
3.5 Additionally, presentations providing an update on the Local Plan was also delivered to NPA members (on 24 Feb, 15 Apr, 11 Jun 2026). These sessions set out the public responses to the previous Reg 18 Part 1 consultation and provided detail on where and how the Local Plan had evolved in light of feedback. Through these sessions members could recognise the concerns of the community and continue to incorporate local issues into developing planning policy.
3.6 Updates were also provided at Parish Quadrant meetings, the New Forest Consultative Panel, and New Forest Access Forum meetings (throughout January - June 2026).
Representations could be submitted via:
- the online consultation portal, or
- email to policy@newforestnpa.gov.uk, or
- posted to the Policy Team, New Forest National Park Authority, Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington, SO41 9ZG.
3.7 For more information on how the NPA has engaged with its stakeholders on various matters, in supporting the emerging Local Plan i.e., supporting evidence, please refer to the Duty to Cooperate Statement (July 2026).
Responses to the Regulation 18 Part 2 Consultation
4.1 During the consultation period, the Authority received over 1,000+ responses from different organisations, groups and individuals as set out below:
4.2 As the chart illustrates, Chapter 8 ‘Vibrant Communities’ gathered the most feedback, receiving over 753 responses during the consultation period. Please note that some responses received were duplicates or irrelevant information and were therefore discounted.
4.3 The schedules in Appendix 1 summarise the key raised by respondents, setting out how these have been taken into consideration. However, it should be noted that where amendments have been proposed, these are not always detailed within the summaries. In accordance with the approved Local Development Scheme, further opportunities to refine the draft Local Plan will be provided during the Regulation 19 (pre-submission) consultation.
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Additional information and supporting… Chapter 11 - Monitoring and implementation Chapter 10 - Transport and access Chapter 9 - Thriving local economy Chapter 8 - Vibrant communities Chapter 7 - Protecting and enhancing the historic… Chapter 6 - Protecting and enhancing the natural… Chapter 5 - Climate change Chapter 4 - Strategic policies and development… Chapter 3 - Vision and objectives Chapter 2 - Profile of the New Forest Chapter 1 - Introduction and background Number of responses
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Summary of main issues raised made pursuant to Regulation 18 (Part 2) – Reponses to the Draft Local Plan
Click here to open a separate document where the summary of issues and responses can be found.
Appendix 2 – List of groups and organisations consulted
During the Regulation 18 Part 2 Local Plan consultation (November - December 2025)
- Mining Remediation Authority
- Historic England
- Natural England
- Environment Agency
- Marine Management Organisation
- National Highways
- National Grid
- Bournemouth Water
- Wessex Water
- Southern Water
- Hampshire & Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
- Dorset Council planning
- Southampton City Council
- Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council
- Wiltshire Council
- Hampshire County Council
- New Forest District Council
- Test Valley Borough Council
- Sir Desmond Swayne
- Sir Julian Lewis
- Christopher Chope
- Caroline Nokes
- John Glen
- Ashurst & Colbury Parish Council
- Beaulieu Parish Council
- Boldre Parish Council
- Braemore Parish Council
- Bramshaw Parish Council
- Bransgore Parish Council
- Brockenhurst Parish Council
- Burley Parish Council
- Copythorne Parish Council
- Denny Lodge Parish Council
- East Boldre Parish Council
- Ellingham, Harbridge & Ibsley Parish Council
- Exbury & Lepe Parish Council
- Fawley Parish Council
- Fordingbridge Parish Council
- Godshill Parish Council
- Hale Parish Council
- Hordle Parish Council
- Hyde Parish Council
- Hythe & Dibden Parish Council
- Landford Parish Council
- Lymington & Pennington Town Council
- Lyndhurst Parish Council
- Marchwood Parish Council
- Melchet Park & Plaitford Parish Council
- Milford on Sea Parish Council
- Minstead Parish Council
- Netley Marsh Parish Council
- New Milton Town Council
- Redlynch Parish Council
- Ringwood Town Council
- Sopley Parish Council
- Sway Parish Council
- Totton & Eling Parish Council
- Wellow Parish Council
- Whiteparish Parish Council
- Woodgreen Parish Council
- Action Hampshire
- Age Concern Hampshire
- Associated British Ports
- Bournemouth International Airport Ltd
- Calshot Activities Centre
- Campaign for National Parks
- CPRE Hampshire
- Christchurch Bicycle Club
- Community First New Forest
- Country Land and Business Association SE
- Country Land and Business Association SW
- Cranborne Chase & West Wilts Downs National Landscape
- ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd
- Federation of Small Businesses
- Friends, Families and Travellers
- Fordingbridge Society
- Forestry England
- Friends of Brockenhurst
- Friends of the New Forest
- Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
- Hampshire Association of Local Councils
- Hampshire Field Club & Archaeological Society
- Hampshire Constabulary - Designing Out Crime officer
- Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service (New Forest Group)
- Hampshire Gardens Trust
- Hampshire Outdoor Centres
- Hampshire Scouts
- Homes England
- Lepe Country Park
- Lymington & District Chamber of Commerce & Industry Limited
- Lymington Harbour Commissioners
- Lymington Society
- Jackson Planning
- National Farmers' Union
- National Grid
- National Trust
- National Trust Hants & IoW
- Network Rail
- New Forest Access Forum
- New Forest Business Partnership
- New Forest Centre
- New Forest Commoners' Defence Association
- New Forest Equestrian Association
- New Forest Friends of the Earth
- New Forest Hounds
- New Forest Runners Club
- Meyrick Estate
- New Forest Sports Council
- Go New Forest
- New Forest Trust
- Ramblers Association (New Forest Branch)
- Ringwood Society
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- Sandy Balls Estate
- Sandy Balls Holiday Village
- The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain Central Office
- The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain Western Office
- Solent LEP
- Solent Forum
- Solent Protection Society
- Southampton Airport
- Sport England
- SSE
- Swindon & Wiltshire LEP
- The Caravan Club Ltd
- Tourism South East
- Verderers of the New Forest
- Wild New Forest
- Wilts & Dorset Bus Co Ltd
- Wiltshire Association of Local Councils
- Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue
- Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
- UK Youth
- New Forest Transition CIC
- Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency (RACE)
- Minstead Green Group
- Greener Brockenhurst
- ECO Sway
- Conservation Connection New Forest South
- Cadland Estate
- Bisterne, Pylewell & Sowley Estates
- Exbury Estate
- Somerley Estate
- Hamptworth Estate
- Beaulieu Estate
- Hinton Admiral Estate
- Pylewell Estate
Appendix 3 – Press Release
Press release 5 Nov 2025: Next stage of New Forest National Park Local Plan review open for comment - New Forest National Park
Residents, organisations and businesses are being asked to share their views on the next stage of the New Forest National Park Local Plan review.
The Local Plan sets out the planning policy framework for the National Park, guiding decisions on planning applications and helping shape the future of this nationally important landscape.
While the current plan (adopted in 2019) remains largely fit-for-purpose, this partial and focused review reflects recent changes in national guidance, local priorities, and lessons learnt over the past six years. It also builds on valuable feedback received during the initial ‘Direction of Travel’ consultation held earlier this year.
The draft Local Plan will be open for public consultation from 5 November to 19 December 2025.
You can give your views online at nfnpalocalplan.commonplace.is.
Paper copies are available to view at Lymington Town Hall.
A series of public drop-in sessions will also be held across the consultation period, offering people the opportunity to speak to members of the National Park Authority’s planning team and learn more about the proposals.
These are:
- Wednesday 26 November, 4.30pm – 5.30pm, online. Join at: Local Plan Online Consultation 2025 | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday 2 December, 2pm – 7pm, Redlynch Village Hall
- Thursday 4 December, 2pm – 7pm, Colbury Memorial Hall
- Friday 5 December, 2pm – 7pm, Sway Village Hall
- Tuesday 9 December, 2pm – 7pm, Lyndhurst Community Centre
- Friday 12 December, 2pm – 7pm, Landford Methodist Hall
A final period of consultation on a revised version of the Plan will follow in summer 2026, before submission to the Government for independent examination in December 2026.
Steve Trow, Chair of the NPA Planning Committee, said: ‘The Local Plan is key to how we protect and enhance the New Forest – safeguarding its landscapes, wildlife and heritage while supporting the people, businesses and communities who depend on it. This review gives us the opportunity to update planning policies in light of challenges such as climate change and local housing need, while maintaining a clear focus on conserving the Forest and making it fit for the future.’
Key themes of the Local Plan review
Thriving communities and local economy:
Based on the Government’s method for calculating housing need, there is a significant need within the communities of the New Forest National Park. Although meeting the identified need in full would not be appropriate given the important environmental designations in the New Forest National Park, the draft Local Plan includes a series of proposed policies that would meet some local housing needs, stabilise the population of the National Park and help to support local services.
Views are invited on this as part of the consultation.
New affordable housing provided as part of these developments would be available for people in housing need with a local connection to the New Forest National Park.
Revised policies would support the land-based economy, including commoning, and respond to updated assessments of employment needs. A proposed employment site allocation on land north of Fawley Waterside (part of the Solent Freeport) would help meet identified demand.
Climate change:
In response to the climate and nature emergencies, a new standalone chapter on climate change is proposed. It will promote higher water efficiency standards, sustainable drainage systems, small-scale renewable energy and sustainable construction.
Natural environment:
Proposed policies will continue to safeguard the New Forest’s internationally and nationally important habitats, setting out how local planning policies will deliver Biodiversity Net Gain, safeguard tranquillity, and link to the Local Nature Recovery Strategies for Hampshire and Wiltshire.
Historic and built environment:
Following advice from Historic England, draft policies have been updated to better protect the Forest’s built heritage while enabling historic buildings to adapt to the effects of climate change.
Traffic and transport:
Most traffic issues affecting the New Forest arise from developments outside the National Park and the review includes reference to the latest Local Transport Plans from Hampshire and Wiltshire. It promotes sustainable transport, improved walking and cycling networks, and electric vehicle chargers.
The revised Local Plan draws on a comprehensive evidence base, including a Housing Needs Assessment, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal, and Economic Viability Assessment. This evidence will continue to be updated as the Local Plan Review process proceeds.
For updates, sign up to the newsletter at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk.
Help inform the future of the New Forest National Park – add your voice at nfnaplocalplan.commonplace.is
-EndsAbove sent via Vuelio to 171 news outlets
Appendix 4 – Public Notice
Public Notice Lymington Times and identical in New Milton Advertiser:
Appendix 5 – Notification to stakeholders
Released 5 November 2026
(Engagement statistics on stakeholder notification)
Appendix 6 – eNewsletter Park Life Autumn / Winter 2025
(readership = 51,250)
Appendix 7 – Consultation poster
Sent to all local towns and parishes and displayed in notice boards around the New Forest
Below: Exbury and Lepe Council noticeboard
Below: Totton Civic Centre
Below: Totton Precinct
Below: Ringwood Town Council
Below: New Milton Town Council
Appendix 8 – NPA Newsletter (November 2025)
Sent on 14 November 2025 to 27,000 recipients:
Appendix 9 – NPA Newsletter (December 2025)
Sent during early December to 27,000 recipients:
Appendix 10 – Drop in events
Photographs taken at the Ashurst/Colbury session on 4 December 2025:
Appendix 11 – NPA Website updates
News page on website 26 Nov 2025: Public drop-in sessions: Learn more about the Local Plan review - New Forest National Park
Residents, businesses and community groups are invited to meet the New Forest National Park Authority’s Planning Policy team at a series of public drop-in sessions to find out more about the next stage of the Local Plan review.
The Local Plan is an essential document that guides new development within the National Park, aimed at meeting local needs, yet conserving what makes the New Forest such a special place.
Our team will be available at the following events to answer your questions:
- Wednesday 26 November, 4.30pm – 5.30pm (online)
Join via Microsoft Teams at: Local Plan Online Consultation 2025 | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams . No registration required.
Drop in any time to these in-person sessions:
- Tuesday 2 December, 2pm – 7pm – Redlynch Village Hall, Vicarage Road, Redlynch, Salisbury, SP5 2PG
- Thursday 4 December, 2pm – 7pm – Colbury Memorial Hall, Colbury Room, Main Rd, Totton, Southampton SO40 7EL
- Friday 5 December, 2pm – 7pm – Sway Village Hall, Middle Road, Sway, SO41 6BB
- Tuesday 9 December, 2pm – 7pm – Lyndhurst Community Centre, Pine Hall Main Car Park, Lyndhurst SO43 7NY
- Friday 12 December, 2pm – 7pm – Landford Methodist Hall, Lyndhurst Rd, Landford, Salisbury SP5 2AF
This review looks at key themes including:
- Meeting local housing needs and supporting thriving communities
- Tackling climate change and enhancing nature recovery
- Protecting the Forest’s unique heritage and character
- Promoting sustainable transport and reducing traffic impacts
The draft Local Plan is open for public consultation from 5 November to 19 December 2025.
You can share your views online at nfnpalocalplan.commonplace.is.
Paper copies will also be available to view at Lymington Town Hall.
We encourage everyone with an interest in the future of the New Forest to get involved.
Video:
New Forest National Park Local Plan review (Published on 12 November 2025)
Appendix 12 – Social media posts
Over the course of the consultation, 41 related social media posts were published across NPA Facebook channels, including Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. The posts had a reach of 114,545 people, with 4,464 people engaging with the posts (liking, sharing, commenting or clicking on links).
Example social media posts:
Items posted on
