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RAPC 600/26 – First Quarter Progress Report 2026/27 – Annex 1

Summary

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Annual Work Programme priorities for the New Forest National Park Authority for 1 April to 30 June 2026 are organised under six themes: Climate, Nature, People, Place, Partnership and Organisation. Key climate actions include improving baseline data, supporting active travel and bus services, climate literacy, organisational carbon reduction, and attracting nature and carbon investment, aligned with net zero by 2050. Nature recovery focuses on expanding and managing habitats, improving SSSI condition, securing post-HLS funding for commoning and nature, exploring planning tools such as Local Development Orders, and reducing risks like wildfire and biosecurity. People priorities include inclusive volunteering, better accessible routes, youth engagement, PEDALL inclusive cycling, and education sessions for young people. Place work supports sustainable land management, commoning, land-use data and heritage services, and Local Plan milestones. Partnership and organisational actions cover updating the Partnership Plan, strengthening community feedback, delivering capital grants, improving finances and facilities, communications campaigns, and…
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Annual Work Programme 2026/27 – First Quarter (1 April to 30 June 2026)

RAPC 600/26

Annex 1,

Re:New Climate - Net Zero with Nature

We understand the impacts of climate change on the special qualities of the New Forest National Park; we take the action needed to adapt to build resilience of the special features and we strive to drive down emissions to be a net-zero landscape by 2050.

Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework targets for the Landscape (PLTOF):

  • Net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
  • 20 hectares of peat restoration by 2050
  • 550 hectares of new woodland and tree cover by 2050.
Outcomes Actions / Priorities Quarterly RAG Status Achieved by March 2027 Action to regain (if amber or red) Particular points to note
Establishing baseline data & evidence (Paul Walton)
  • Share and embed outputs from Climate Change Risk & Adaptation Opportunities Assessment across the themes of Lead, Learn, Enable, Restore, Maintain and Protect into NPA work.
  • Engage with Landscape Observatory, integrate outputs from AI mapping into development of spatial approach and Partnership Plan renewal process.
  • Review annual emissions data from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)and Small World Consulting to inform action on emissions reduction.
  • Report landscape emissions as actions as part of our commitment to Race to Zero.
 Point 2: Amber due to likely timings of Landscape Observatory work which may not be in time to fully inform the PP.
Increase sustainable transport (Jim Mitchell)
  • Develop at least two active travel schemes on the Lymington to Lyndhurst corridor (route 120) to the point of being ready to bid for capital funds.
  • Pilot approaches on the New Forest on road leisure cycle network.
  • Work with the bus operator and drivers to manage and promote the three New Forest Tour routes. maintaining satisfaction ratings of at least 4.5 out of 5 and overall financial viability.
  • Seek investment in the New Forest Tour for the long term.
Motivating climate action (Paul Walton)
  • Develop a New Forest climate literacy training scheme in partnership with Countryside Education Trust.
  • Work with partners such as through land advisors’ network and Catchment Partnership to target actions for emissions reduction across farms and rural businesses.
Organisational net zero (Nigel Stone)
  • Review and update the NPA’s Carbon Reduction Plan, incorporating capital investment decisions.
  • Implement Carbon Reduction Plan to show progress towards net zero by 2030.
Increasing natural capital (Paul Walton)
  • Build upon work undertaken to understand motivations of local business to invest in local nature projects.
  • Establish approach to connect carbon investment opportunities through National Parks Partnership to specific opportunities within the National Park.

Re: New Nature - Nature Recovery

Nature is restored, enhanced and connected to boost biodiversity and improve ecosystem health

PLTOF targets for the landscape:

  • Increase wildlife-rich habitat by 4000 hectares by 2042 from 2025
  • 80% of SSSIs in favourable condition by 2042
  • 60% of SSSIs have ‘actions on track’ by 2042
  • More priority habitats supported by agri-environment schemes
  • 65% of land managers adopting nature-friendly farming.
Outcomes Actions / Priorities Quarterly RAG Status Achieved by March 2027 Action to regain (if amber or red) Particular points to note
Making space for nature: Increase the amount of land managed for nature contributing to the 250ha annual target and identified improvements to the New Forest Sites of Special Scientific Interest (Paul Walton)
  • Manage funded delivery programmes (Habitats enhancement grant, Landscape Enhancement Initiative) to enable the restoration and management of a range of National Park habitats.
  • Encourage farmers and landowners/managers to develop Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL). applications to restore / manage National Park habitats.
  • Support three key partnerships to deliver expansion of wildlife habitats; the New Forest Catchment Partnership, with Freshwater Habitats Trust, the Verderers HLS programme and Natural England’s Protected Sites Strategy for the New Forest and report on progress.
Better understanding of the level of financial investment in nature in the National Park (Paul Walton)
  • Help develop financial support for Commoning and nature recovery following the end of the Verderers Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.
  • Identify the current level of financial investment in nature in the National Park from public and green finance sources to help define the coherent National Park-wide offer and approach to attract and direct voluntary green finance for optimum impact.
  • Consolidate investment from compliance markets such as through:
    • Adopt a strategic mitigation scheme to address the in-combination recreation impacts arising from planned new development within the defined 13.8km ‘zone of influence’.
    • Biodiversity Net Gain.
 Point 1: Remains a critical piece of work for the New Forest community to solve ahead of HLS funding ending.
Enabling nature recovery in the National Park (Paul Walton)
  • Explore the feasibility of introducing Local Development Orders (LDO) to enable nature restoration and recovery projects through the planning system.
  • Through convening the ReNew Nature Partnership, provide the strategic leadership for nature recovery in the landscape:
    • Ensuring strategies align and are complementary to NP priorities
    • Ensuring subject/geographic-specific groups collaborate and optimise opportunities at landscape scale.
 The NFNPA is working with partners to explore the feasibility of introducing an LDO for nature recovery projects (focusing on wetland restoration)
Engaging people in nature (Hilary Makin)
  • Celebrate nature through multiple communications channels to build connect, ownership and encourage proactive support
  • Illustrate the clear links between long-term nature recovery opportunities and immediate individual/community action.
  • Signpost opportunities for activities such as walks, talks, volunteering & citizen science projects.
  • Engage members of the public through ranger presence in key locations to influence appropriate behaviours and share the New Forest Code.
Protecting nature (Paul Walton)
  • Define and implement our approach to mitigating the increasing risks such as for wildfire, biosecurity
  • Provide effective support to planning control, ensuring ecological and landscape impacts of applications are fully considered.
  • Use the planning system to protect nature through the Local Plan, specific policies and supporting guidance such as for:
    • Campsite Article to ensure campsite provision is appropriately managed to protect nature and enable people to enjoy the National Park
    • Protecting dark skies.
 The Regulation 19 Submission draft Local Plan will be subject to further consultation between August – September 2026.

Re:New People - An Inclusive National Park

The benefits provided by the New Forest National Park are accessible to all who wish to enjoy them

PLTOF targets for the landscape:

  • Increased accessible paths, toilets, rest stops, parking spaces, routes, gates and gaps by 2042
  • Increased visits & volunteer days facilitated by new equipment by 2042
  • Increased number of schools and volunteers engaged by 2042
Outcomes Actions / Priorities Quarterly RAG Status Achieved by March 2027 Action to regain (if amber or red) Particular points to note
Inclusive volunteering helps deliver National Park purposes (Jim Mitchell)
  • Deliver 20+ volunteering days directly to restore habitats and enhance nature, and 20+ volunteer days to improve access to and understanding of the special qualities, involving a minimum of 100 volunteers.
  • Deliver a minimum of 12 corporate volunteering events.
  • Adults with additional needs are supported to attend at least one volunteer session a month.
  • Run the 2027 volunteer fair (attended by 40+ volunteering organisations and 500+ prospective volunteers), the annual Volunteer Collective event and signpost local opportunities online.
Accessible routes are delivered (Jim Mitchell)
  • Deliver access improvements though the Landscape Enhancement Initiative (Breamore Railway line, New Forest Woods & Heaths, Franchises Lodge) and the DEFRA Access For All grant (Breamore access routes, supporting Pedall, accessible trail surface improvements).
  • Establish and maintain sections 2 and 5 of the Highcliffe to Calshot stretch of England Coast Path and maintain section 1 of the Calshot to Gosport stretch.
Enable more people to engage with the National Park and to have a say in its future (Jim Mitchell)
  • Complete our elements of the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) project.
  • Deliver community engagement through ranger presence – local events, literature distribution and supporting campaigns and conservation tasks
  • Facilitate the New Forest Youth Board to become an established voice for young people in decision making via six meetings per year and presence at a range of other events and forums.
  • Support cultural initiatives which engage audiences and enhance understanding of the New Forest (Culture in Common programme, Nightjar Project, Artist in Residence programme).
PEDALL inclusive cycling and other health opportunities are delivered (Jim Mitchell)
  • Deliver 500 guided rides and 5,500 riding slots for people with additional needs/barriers to accessing the National Park'.
  • Expand PEDALL client network by minimum of 5 new organisations per year.
  • Continue expansion of funding partners/streams to ensure sustainability of PEDALL.
  • Deliver a Health Fellowship in partnership with the NHS.
Develop and deliver high-quality, bespoke curriculum linked education for schools and colleges (Jim Mitchell)
  • Lead activities to support children and young people, growing understanding of the National Park and the climate and nature emergencies so that they are equipped to take positive action in response.
  • Teach over 40 sessions for over 1,500 young people, in and about the National Park, in schools and colleges and through youth activities, providing meaningful connection to nature, meeting curriculum aims where appropriate and addressing social and mental wellbeing needs.

Re:New Place - Thriving Forest

The interdependence between economic growth and the unique natural beauty and cultural heritage of the landscape underpins a sustainable future for the New Forest National Park

PLTOF targets:

  • Decreases in numbers of scheduled monuments and listed buildings ‘At Risk’ by 2042
Outcomes Actions / Priorities Quarterly RAG Status Achieved by March 2027 Action to regain (if amber or red) Particular points to note
Ensure economic and social objectives for our area informed by and contributing to the natural capital of the National Park working through the Green Halo Partnership, the Greenprint Framework and relationships with key partners (Paul Walton)
  • Maintain and expand the Green Halo Partnership and Greenprint partners as focal point for our work beyond the boundary of the National Park.
  • Work with New Forest Produce Ltd to reinforce the value of the New Forest Marque to primary producers, including commoners.
Support sustainable land management and securing the future of Commoning (Paul Walton)
  • Support the Forest Farming Group (FFG) in co-creating:
    • a bespoke environmental scheme that sustains commoning and the viability of open forest grazing
    • a means of supporting commoners to maintain viable grazing herds during the transition period to a new scheme.
  • Evolve the New Forest Land Advice Service into a National Park-wide land advisors convening function.
 Point 1: Amber – our work on this remains critical to achieveing the post-HLS funding & investment needed for Commoning into the future.
Improve data and oversight of land use change in the National Park to inform land use decisions (Paul Walton)
  • Develop and implement a spatial approach to decision making.
  • Deliver archaeological services via Planning, advice and guidance to further the sustainable management, protection, public understanding, access to, and enjoyment of the cultural heritage of the National Park.
  • Continue to deliver heritage advice and services for the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.
 Archaeology team has two temp staff, likely to recruit to perm role soon.
The New Forest National Park continues to be covered by an up-to-date planning policy framework (David Illsley)
  • Adopt the updated Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan in July 2026
  • Consult on the Regulation 19 Submission draft New Forest National Park Local Plan between August – early October 2026.
  • Submit the draft Local Plan and supporting evidence base to the Secretary of State for independent examination in December 2026.
 Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan adopted July 2026
Grow awareness of and opportunities to develop green skills and careers amongst the New Forest workforce (Jim Mitchell)
  • Seek funding and partnership opportunities to continue to employ staff in paid entry level roles (apprentices, interns etc).
  • Support a total of five weeks of high-quality work experience opportunities for 14 years+.
  • Promote green careers awareness via multiagency presence at local school and college careers events (6+ events) and by promoting green skills training events.
  • Develop Green Skills approaches in the New Forest (working in partnership with NFDC and University of Southampton and others).

Re:New Partnership - Team New Forest

Everyone involved in advancing the Purposes of the National Park works together with trust, respect, inclusion and innovation.

Outcomes Actions / Priorities Quarterly RAG Status Achieved by March 2027 Action to regain (if amber or red) Particular points to note
Consultation draft of New Forest National Park Partnership Plan review complete (Strategic Leadership Team)
  • Partnership Plan is delivered as per the timetable set out at the Authority meeting in January 2026, led by the Leaders Panel and revised Defra guidance
  • The high-level vision and objectives are complete by end of Q2, detailed objectives and actions drafted in Q3 and a formal public consultation in Q4
  • The Plan is engaging, challenging but deliverable for the key constituent bodies; fully developed with the Forest and all its communities / stakeholders.
 .
Community feedback (Hilary Makin)
  • Fully review, looking to maintain and expand opportunities for two-way feedback and information sharing between Forest communities and Partnership Plan bodies, including our Authority
  • Maintain and enhance existing forums such as our meetings/committees, the Consultative Panel and Quadrant meetings with town and parish councils.
Shared experiences through Team New Forest (Nigel Stone)
  • Enhance opportunities for shared learning, training and development across Team New Forest e.g. Green Leadership
  • Ensure continued Authority support, often through use of officer time and/or fundraising support, for smaller stakeholders across the area, making us greater than the sum of our parts.
  • Landscape Connections grant submission co-designed and supported by a range of partners

Re:New Organisation - Achieving Excellence

We lead by example; we strive to improve; we are dedicated to maximising value from public funding; we have a strong dedication to customer service; we are an engaged, motivated, safe and inclusive workforce

PLTOF targets for the landscape:

  • Policies in place to ensure positive action to widen the diversity of staff, board and volunteers
Outcomes Actions / Priorities Quarterly RAG Status Achieved by March 2027 Action to regain (if amber or red) Particular points to note
Capital grants programme delivered (Nigel Stone)
  • Successfully deliver, on time and on budget, all our 2026/27 capital programmes – core Defra capital grant, Access for All and Farming in Protected Landscapes
  • Review and update the Authority’s Capital Investment Strategy.
Sustainable finances and facilities (Nigel Stone)
  • Improve the sustainability of the Authority’s medium-term financial position, including development of a full Income Generation Strategy
  • Negotiate an affordable short-term main office space following the end of the current Town Hall lease
  • Develop the hub approach, small operational bases across the National Park, starting the Lyndhurst site at Foxlease
  • Confirm a long-term plan for a future main office space, preferably owned and run by the Authority itself.
Provide effective and creative communications to drive behaviour change and create greater awareness, ensuring they are accessible and inclusive (Hilary Makin)
  • Ensure our external communications, including the new website, provide core information that is easily available and open to all.
  • Communicate the outputs of the Climate Change Risk and Adaptation Opportunities Assessment to be accessible to the full range of audiences.
  • Ensure widespread adoption of the New Forest Code and promote individual campaigns around protecting ground-nesting birds; reducing feeding/petting of livestock; wildfires and encouraging responsible dog behaviour
  • Deliver the 2027 Awakening Festival showcasing local climate and nature action
  • Refresh our internal communications
Develop & Support Members role (Chair & Nigel Stone)
  • Work with the Chair and Deputy Chair to review and develop the role of Members within the Authority
  • Monitor upcoming direct and indirect impacts of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation on the Authority, its functions and governance.
People Plan Reviewed and Enacted (Nigel Stone)
  • Review the results of the March 2026 Staff Survey and update our People Plan accordingly
  • Renew our HR Function, investing resource to refresh and update our suite of policies and procedures
  • Ensure detailed succession planning is considered across the organisation and identify key areas / roles to prioritise.
 Staff survey delayed until after Summer break.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded across the organisation (Jim Mitchell)
  • Maintain our New Forest Voices workstream, ensuring a sense of ownership and belonging within and around our organisation
  • Review our Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy.

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