Consultative Panel Minutes March 2026

2.1 New Forest District Council Local Plan Review – Tim Guymer & Dean Brunton (NFDC)

Tim Guymer (Assistant Director for Place Development, NFDC) updated the Panel on progress made with the above review mentioning the background and status of the review, core topics and key challenges as well as the timetable and stages in the process. The inspector’s report and adoption of the new Local Plan was anticipated for the winter of 2027 (a copy of the slides presented with the report can be found on the Consultative Panel website on Consultative Panel 06/03/25 - New Forest National Park Authority).

Mr Guymer specifically mentioned housing needs under the Plan and government housing targets reporting that 1,254 homes per year were required to be built (22,572 over the plan period) with current commitments (permissions and allocations) totalling 6,835 homes. He said that areas of potential expansion were being considered but even if every potential option were deliverable, there would remain a significant housing shortfall. Consequently the Plan would likely set a housing target lower than the full need, with unmet need being discussed with neighbouring authorities.

He mentioned that the plan will identify and cost infrastructure needed to support growth, including new schools, GP/dentistry capacity, community hubs and transport upgrades, these in turn would feed into the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) and updated Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Mr Guymer mentioned that the Plan would focus on back up grazing which was essential to Commoning. He then described the value and benefits of back up grazing in the New Forest.

Finally, he encouraged Panel members to feed into the review through the number of drop in events which were taking place and mentioned those topics which the Council was specifically interested in getting feedback on.

Mr Guymer and Mr Brunton then responded to a number of questions from Panel members after which the Chair thanked him for his presentation.

2.2 New Forest National Park Local Plan Review – David Illsley - NFNPA

David Illsley provided an overview of the Authority’s own separate Local Plan review and confirmed that the six‑week consultation period on the initial draft Plan has now concluded. He reported that over 600 respondents submitted comments, including both individuals and organisations.

Mr Illsley highlighted several themes from the consultation. He outlined the proposed identification of additional new defined village settlement boundaries and site allocations to meet identified local housing needs. He emphasised that these boundaries and proposed sites were not fixed and that the Authority’s role was to consider how villages can evolve whilst preserving the fundamental qualities of the National Park.

He advised that the next stage in the Local Plan process would be for the report to be presented to the Full Authority meeting on 23 July, where it would be considered by members. Subject to member approval, consultation would commence in August/September 2026 and then the draft Plan would be submitted to the Government for independent examination in December 2026.

A copy of the presentation is available on the website.

The Chairman thanked the above representatives for their presentations.

5.1 NFDC Update – Derek Tipp

Derek Tipp provided a brief overview of recent developments within the District Council. He reported that, following a recent meeting, it had been agreed to implement a 3% increase in Council Tax within the district.

Mr Tipp also highlighted several key issues, including progress on the NFDC Local Plan, rising youth unemployment, and the ongoing discussions surrounding Local Government Reorganisation.

5.2 NFNPA Update – Nigel Stone

Nigel Stone began his presentation by highlighting the upcoming New Forest National Park Open Day on 22 March at Lyndhurst Community Centre. He noted that this would be a free, all‑age event featuring talks and activities designed to showcase various aspects of the New Forest.

Mr Stone then briefed the Panel on Capital Investments. He reported that Defra had allocated capital funding to the Authority for 2025/26, with further funding likely over the following three years. He explained that this funding may be used for income‑generation initiatives, invest‑to‑save projects, and Nature Recovery. The Authority’s key priorities included establishing a footprint within the National Park, reducing expenditure on rented office accommodation, and investments in nature‑based projects. Mr Stone was pleased to announce the recent acquisition of Foxlease, which included two semi‑detached properties intended for rental, along with a detached bungalow that would potentially be developed as an NPA Hub.

He went on to outline the Draft Budget and Work Programme, which had recently been considered by the Resources, Audit and Performance Committee and would be presented for approval at the Full Authority meeting on 26 March. Mr Stone also highlighted several forthcoming developments, including the launch of the new NPA website at the end of March, the start of PEDALL’s 2026 season of rides, and updates regarding Forestry England car parking charges.

A copy of the presentation is available on our website.

5.3 Forestry England – Craig Harrison & Richard Burke

Craig Harrison provided the Panel with a comprehensive update on Forestry England’s activities over the past quarter. Key areas of work included - heathland restoration under the winter work programme, invasive species control, wetland restoration and woodland restoration. Other areas of work included surveying and learning about the New Forest’s growing population of Pine Martens and work on the ground nesting bird season which ran from March to late August.

Engagement and joint working was taking place with partners such as Operation Mountie (promoting animal and road safety), the New Forest Dog Owners Group (on engagement sessions in forest car parks) and supporting multi-agency work against fly-tipping.

Mr Harrison said that with the extremely wet weather, Forestry England was continuing with maintenance work repairing road surfaces and car parks.

Mr Burke then updated the Panel on stakeholder and public engagement which had been carried out. These included sharing details of the scheme and how it will work. He advised that a leaflet in this regard had been sent directly to all NFDC households. Forestry England was also working with key groups on potential exemptions to the charges as well as setting up an FAQ page and other relevant information was being published on FE’s website. He advised that verge protection work was a important part of the scheme and drew members’ attention to a timeline showing key stages in the implementation of the scheme.

Mr Harrison and Mr Burke then responded to a number of questions raised by the Panel following which the report was noted.

A copy of the presentation is available on our website.