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PC 517/26 – Proposed Planning Application Revised Local Requirements

Summary

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Revised local information requirements for planning applications are being proposed for adoption by the New Forest National Park Authority’s Planning Committee on 21 July 2026, following a public consultation held from 20 April to 15 June 2026. The aim is to keep local requirements up to date and aligned with government policy and guidance, while avoiding unnecessary burdens on applicants. Four internal responses were received. Suggested wording changes on landscape, lighting, and surface water drainage were largely accepted. A proposed reference to the tree protection standard BS5837:2012 was noted but considered too demanding for many householder applications. An added requirement for details of groundworks and foundations was supported to speed assessment of impacts. Clarifications were also made around biodiversity net gain and broadening when certain assessments are required. Members are asked to authorise adoption of the revised local list.
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Planning Committee

21 July 2026

PC 517/26

Planning Application Local Requirements

Page 1

NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

PLANNING COMMITTEE – 21 JULY 2026

PROPOSED PLANNING APPLICATION REVISED LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

Report by: Natalie Walter, Principal Planning Officer

1. Introduction

1.1 A consultation on a revised list of local requirements for submission with planning applications as required by Government has recently taken place.

1.2 Following the consultation period (20 April 2026 to 15 June 2026), this report seeks Members’ agreement to the proposed local requirements, having taken into consideration the responses received as part of the consultation. The proposed list for adoption is attached as Appendix 2. The consultation process has been undertaken with regular planning agents; internal and external consultees; and publication on the Authority’s website.

2. Consultation Responses

2.1 In summary, three responses were received from internal consultees and one from within the Development Management Team. The responses are summarised as follows:

Consultee Response
Landscape Officer Suggested amendments to the wording on Landscape Statement; Lighting Assessment and Surface Water Drainage Statement.
Tree Officer Suggested additional text referring to British Standard BS5837: 2012 “Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction to Construction – Recommendations.”
Archaeologist

Suggested an additional requirement for details of proposed groundworks and foundation information.

Response included an explanation of different document types relating to heritage and archaeology.
Senior Planning Assistant Referred to the need for condition assessment information in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain. Suggested Landscape Statement and Noise Assessments should be required for a broader range of application types (rather than only major applications).

2.2 Whilst it is disappointing that the response level was low, this could also indicate that the proposed list strikes an appropriate balance between seeking the necessary information for assessment of an application without creating unnecessary requirements for applicants.

2.3 In relation to the suggested amendments proposed by the Landscape Officer, these have largely been incorporated where reasonable.

2.4 The comments of the Tree Officer have been noted but are considered too onerous for many householder applications.

2.5 With reference to the comments from the Archaeologist, inclusion of reference to ground works and foundation information will allow quicker assessment of impacts during the application process.

2.6 Comments from the Senior Planning Assistant have been incorporated where reasonable. The amendments will increase clarity and allow provision of information for a more appropriate range of application types.

3. Conclusion

3.1 The Government requires all local planning authorities to review their own local requirements at intervals in order to ensure that they are kept up-to-date and accord with current policy and guidance.

3.2 Following consultation with the main parties affected by our local requirements, the Authority’s proposed revised local requirements have been updated and Members are asked to consider adopting the list of local requirements as set out.

Recommendation:

Members of the Planning Committee authorise that:

(i) The proposed revised local requirements as set out in the table attached in Appendix 2 to this report be adopted.

Documents:
  • PC 517/26 – Cover report
  • Appendix 1: Consultation Local List (with amendments originally proposed in red)
  • Appendix 2: Proposed Local List for final adoption (with proposed amendments following consultation shown in green)
Equality and Diversity Implications:

There are not considered to be any specific equality or diversity implications arising out of this report.

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