Who does what

Landowners are responsible for managing the land. So, for example, Forestry England is responsible for looking after nearly half the New Forest National Park area.

In the New Forest, the Court of Verderers manages the traditional activity of commoning – the rights under which some property owners are entitled to let their ponies, donkeys, cattle, pigs or sheep roam free.

Various public authorities are responsible for setting polices and providing public services in the National Park area. These include:

• Planning: New Forest National Park Authority (if you’re outside the national park boundary you may need to contact New Forest District Council, Wiltshire Council or Test Valley Borough Council).
• Roads: Hampshire County Council in Hampshire, Wiltshire Council in Wiltshire and Highways England for ‘trunk’ roads and motorways i.e. the A31, A36 and M27.
• Public rights of way: Hampshire County Council in Hampshire, and Wiltshire Council in Wiltshire.
• Public car parking: New Forest District Council, Forestry England, Hampshire County Council.
• Tourism, business and economic development: New Forest District Council supported by New Forest National Park Authority.
• Collecting litter: Mostly New Forest District Council, although landowners such as Forestry England also pays for collections in some areas.
• Disposing of/recycling waste: Hampshire County Council in Hampshire, Wiltshire Council in Wiltshire.
• Managing the land: Forestry England manages the Crown lands in the New Forest National Park – nearly half of the total area. Others who manage land include the National Trust, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire County Council and private landowners/estates.
• Commoning and common rights: The Verderers
• Animal accidents: The police, the Verderers and Forestry England with awareness and education campaigns and operations supported by New Forest National Park Authority.