Local Plan Reg 18 (Part 1) Consultation statement

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Contents

• Contents..................................................................................................................... 2
• 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3
• 2. Purpose of the Local Plan ................................................................................... 3
• 3. Initiation of the need for a Review....................................................................... 3
• 4. Purpose of this Statement................................................................................... 4
• Duty to Cooperate................................................................................................... 5
• 5. Regulation 18 Part 1 Consultation....................................................................... 5
• Publication .............................................................................................................. 5
• Responses to the Regulation 18 Part 1 Consultation ............................................. 7
• 6. Appendices ....................................................................................................... 41

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1. Introduction

1.1 The New Forest National Park Authority is undertaking 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 is undertaking 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.

1.3 This Statement is a record of the consultation undertaken to date during the Local Plan-making process, as required by the Government’s Planning Regulations. It set out who has been invited to make representations on the Local Plan, summarises the main issues raised and how they have been taken into account during the development of the Local Plan. The Statement covers the Regulation 18 consultation on the strategic scope and extent of the review, published as a ‘Strategic Direction of Travel’ in January 2025. It reflects the requirements of the Authority’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement (2023).

2. Purpose of the Local Plan

2.1 Throughout its recent planning reforms, the Government has reaffirmed the importance of having an up-to-date Local Plan in place that conforms with national planning policy. National planning policy indicates that local plans are likely to require reviewing every five years or so.

2.2 The Government’s National Parks Vision and Circular (2010) recognises the importance of the planning system in the delivery of the two National Park purposes, and for this reason the Environment Act 1995 makes national park authorities the sole planning authorities for their areas. This covers development control, planning enforcement, minerals and waste planning and planning policy.

3. Initiation of the need for a Review

3.1 As the existing New Forest National Park Local Plan was formally adopted in August 2019, the National Park Authority was required to assess whether the policies in the Plan require updating by August 2024. Planning authorities can legitimately conclude that an adopted local plan remains fit for purpose and consistent with the most up-to-date national planning policy. Similarly planning authorities can also conclude that following their assessment the local plan requires a partial review of specific policies, but that other sections do not need to be reviewed.

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3.2 Officers used the toolkit prepared by the Planning Advisory Service to assist in undertaking a review of New Forest National Park Local Plan policies to assess whether they need updating (either in full or partially). This was reported to the Authority Meeting on 21 March 2024 (report AM 675/24 refers), where it was agreed to commence a partial review of the adopted Local Plan. The annex to the report included a comprehensive assessment of the existing Local Plan parameters and a commentary as to whether a partial or full review would be required, where it was concluded a partial review should be commenced.

3.3 The Authority’s Local Development Scheme was then accordingly updated to set out the timescale for the Local Plan review, which was subsequently approved at the Authority Meeting on 25 July 2024 (report AM684/24 refers). This included two consultations under Regulation 18, one in quarter 4 of 2024/5 and the other in quarter 3 2025/6. This timetable has been met to date.

4. Purpose of this Statement

4.1 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. 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. The statement sets out how this engagement has shaped the plan in terms of the main issues raised through the consultations and how these have been dealt with.

4.2 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). This requires a statement setting out:

1. Which organisations and persons the local planning authority invited to make representations under Regulation 18;
2. How they were invited to make their representations;
3. A summary of the main issues raised;
4. How those issues have been taken into account;
5. If representations were made pursuant to Regulation 20, the number made and a summary of the main issues raised; and
6. If no representations were made pursuant to Regulation 20 a statement of that fact.

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4.3 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 and the adopted SCI.

Duty to Cooperate

4.4 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 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.

4.5 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 that will be published with the draft Local Plan for consultation.

5. Regulation 18 Part 1 Consultation

Publication

5.1 The Authority meeting on 23 January 2025 agreed to the publication of the Strategic Direction of Travel document for consultation, outlining the key matters considered to be in scope for the review, as well as those areas of the adopted Local Plan that remain consistent with the latest national planning policy. Report AM702/25 refers.

5.2 The consultation commenced on 4 February 2025 until 18 March 2025. All statutory and general consultation bodies as set out in planning legislation, together with numerous local interest groups (see Appendix 1 for full list) were notified of the commencement of the consultation and given details of where and when documentation could be inspected and how to respond, the comment form is set out at Appendix 2, in addition:

• A public notice was issued and was published in both Lymington Advertiser & Times on 7 February 2024 for one week (Appendix 3).
• Articles were also included in the New Forest publication ‘Park Life’ https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/publications/, in both the autumn/winter 2024 and spring/summer 2025 editions (Appendix 4). Park Life is produced twice yearly in conjunction with the Lymington Times, there were 20,500 autumn/winter copies. Of these, 12,500 get distributed with the Lymington Times and 8,000 copies get distributed by National Park Authority rangers to attractions. There were 22,500 spring/summer copies, with 12,500 distributed with the Lymington Times, and 10,000 to attractions. A digital version is also available on the National Park website.

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• New Forest enews letter - nearly 27,000 people are subscribed to this. Newsletters containing articles in relation to the local plan consultation were sent in February and March 2024 (Appendix 5);
• A press release was issued on 3 February to 416 outlets including local and national media and community magazines (appendix 6). It was also available to view on the Authority’s website where it had 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
• 18 social media posts were published across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X, which had a reach of 72,055 people, and 4,415 engagements (people liking, commenting, sharing, clicking links etc). Average engagement rate of 6.1% which is well above local gov average of 1.1%, the top tagged publishes posts are set out at Appendix 7.

5.3 At the same time a ‘Call for Sites’ was also undertaken, by inviting local communities, landowners and developers to put forward sites they wish to be considered for residential, employment, Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople and other uses (including environmental mitigation) within the National Park.

5.4 The Strategic Direction of Travel document and other supporting information – including the ‘Call for Sites’ process - was available for inspection at our office at Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington, SO41 9ZG during normal office hours; and online at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/LocalPlan2025.

5.5 In addition a number of public drop-in events were held across the National Park to enable people to speak to planning staff and find out more about the Local Plan review:

• Bramshaw Village Hall, SO43 7JE, Monday 24 February, 2pm – 7pm
• Hyde Memorial Hall, SP6 2HU, Tuesday 25 February, 1.30pm – 6.30pm
• Brockenhurst Village Hall, SO42 7RY, Monday 3 March, 2pm – 7pm
• Lyndhurst Community Centre, SO43 7NY, Friday 7 March 2pm – 7pm

Drop in consultation event at Brockenhurst Village Hall

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5.6 Specific presentations providing an update on the local plan were also given to the following, as well as regular updates to the parish quadrant meetings:

• Youth Board meeting, 20 February 2025
• New Forest Consultative Panel presentation, 6 March 2025
• New Forest Access Forum meeting, 10 March 2025

Responses to the Regulation 18 Part 1 Consultation

5.7 During the consultation period, the Authority received detailed responses from 81 different organisations, groups and individuals as set out below:

5.8 Given the Strategic Direction of Travel Document sought views on a series of high-level questions (see comment form at Appendix 2), rather than presenting revised local plan text and policies for comment, the feedback was also more general and cross-cutting in nature. This does however provide the Authority with a steer as to how to progress the Local Plan Review and which matters to give greater emphasis to.

5.9 The following schedules summarise the key matters covered by the responses and how they have been taken into consideration in progressing the Local Plan Review.

Figure 1: Breakdown of responses received.

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Introduction

This part of the document sets the context for the local plan review in terms of National Planning Policy, timetable, duty to cooperate and further planning reforms.

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Introduction

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Introduction

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Strategic policies and development principles

This section refers to the local plan vision and objectives and overarching strategic policies and seeks to ensure these remain relevant and reflect latest national policy and guidance.

Brief summary of:

1. (i) the existing planning policy position in the adopted New Forest National Park Local Plan (2019)
2. (ii) the headlines from the self-assessment of compatibility (PAS template)

Policy SP1 sets out how sustainable development will be supported in the NFNP. The Plan policies in the round set out a sustainable pattern of growth for the NFNP within the context of the statutory National Park purposes and related duty.

Policy DP2 General development principles

Policy SP3 Major development in the National Park; planning permission should only be given in exceptional circumstances.

The LP contains 32 strategic policies covering housing, employment, and the natural & built environment. Policy SP4 sets out the overall spatial strategy for the Plan area.

Policy SP1 In meeting the principles of sustainable development (UN Goals) more focus should be put on planning for health and wellbeing, climate change action and habitat improvement.

Whilst several policies are still fit for purpose, many would benefit from updating in light of the revised NPPF and revised evidence.

Since adoption of the current Local Plan the Solent Freeport has been designated, part of which (Fawley Waterside) is within the National Park.

Evidence base Strategic Housing Needs Assessment

Call for Sites

Employment Needs Assessment

Settlement Hierarchy review

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Strategic policies and development principles

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Strategic policies and development principles

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Strategic policies and development principles

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Strategic policies and development principles

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Strategic policies and development principles

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section The natural environment

The focus for this part of the local plan is the rich and varied landscape that lies behind the designation of the National Park and the need to ensure both the statutory purposes and associated duties are supported through the local plan. Given the numerous high-level designations that cover over half of the park area, this section of the plan expresses key matters such as climate change impacts and biodiversity net gain.

Brief summary of:

1. (i) the existing planning policy position in the adopted New Forest National Park Local Plan (2019)
2. (ii) the headlines from the self-assessment of compatibility (PAS template)

Policy SP5 this is a lead policy for the Local Plan given the extent of protected sites within the National Park. Policy SP6 focuses on the natural environment and Policy SP7 on landscape character, Policy SP9 on Green Infrastructure and DP10 on open Space.

With an increasing focus on climate change Policy DP8 refers to limiting water usage to 110 litres a day per person and the use of SuDS with regard to safeguarding and improving water resources; Policy SP11 refers to mitigation and adaptation, DP12 Flood Risk, DP13 coastal development and SP14 Renewable energy.

Reflecting one of the New Forest’s defined special qualities Policy SP15 covers the matter of tranquillity.

With the declaration of a nature and climate emergency there is a need to review policies in this chapter and emphasise climate change matters in the context of a National Park.

Updated evidence will inform policy amendments and the need for any additional policies.

Review existing evidence on suitable renewable and low carbon energy sources in the National Park.

Evidence base Habitat Regulations Assessment

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section The natural environment

Sustainability Appraisal

Strategic flood risk assessment

Playing pitch strategy/study

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section The natural environment

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section The natural environment

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section The natural environment

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section The natural environment

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Protecting and enhancing the historic and built environment

Not only is the National Park recognised for its landscape and habitat designations this is also accompanied by a unique historic, cultural and archaeological heritage. Challenges for the Local Plan Review relate to the need to respond to climate change and conservation of the built environment.

Brief summary of:

1. (i) the existing planning policy position in the adopted New Forest National Park Local Plan (2019)
2. (ii) the headlines from the self-assessment of compatibility (PAS template)

Policy SP16 sets out the criteria for considering development proposals affecting nationally, regionally and locally important designated and non-designated heritage assets including historic landscapes and archaeological sites.

Policy SP17 states that development which would erode the local character of the National Park or result in a suburbanising effect will not be permitted.

Policy DP18 emphasises that new development is required to achieve the highest standards for new design, with a number of specific criteria including sustainable construction principles and good environmental practices.

The policies remain broadly aligned with national policy as they set out a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment.

Greater reference could be set out on considerations for appropriate future uses for those heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats.

Include reference to the National Design Guide and the National Model Design Code, which have been prepared since the Local Plan was adopted.

Evidence base The ongoing update of the Authority’s list of locally important heritage assets.

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Protecting and enhancing the historic and built environment

Historic England have signposted many of their advice notes on energy efficiency, climate resilience and retrofitting of historic buildings which set out good practice for local plans and development management.

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Protecting and enhancing the historic and built environment

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Vibrant Communities (including housing)

This section addresses housing needs for a range of communities, in the context that in National Parks the extent of development should be limited.

Brief summary of:

(i) the existing planning policy position in the adopted New Forest National Park Local Plan (2019)

• Policy SP19 sets out the housing requirement in the New Forest National Park between 2016 – 2036. This equates to 40 dwellings per annum and the policy sets out the various sources of new housing
• Policy SP20 sets out the local connection requirement for specialist housing for older people (Use Class C2)
• Policy SP21 sets out the restriction on the size of net new dwellings (100 m²) to ensure new housing needs the identified local need for smaller dwellings
• Policies SP22 – SP26 allocate sites for a total of circa 300 net new dwellings in the period to 2036
• Policies SP27 – SP28 sets out the policy approach to the provision of affordable housing within the defined villages, on the site allocations and on rural exception sites
• Policies SP28 – DP31 support housing for commoners, Estate workers and agricultural workers as an exception to the general policy of restraint
• Policy SP33 allocates a site for gypsy and traveller use and sets out the criteria against which applications for further sites will be considered against
• Policies DP34 – DP37 are development management policies guiding small-scale residential development (extensions, replacement dwellings etc)
• Policy SP38 sets out the approach to infrastructure provision and developer contributions
• Policy SP39 supports local community facilities in line with the National Park Authority’s socio-economic duty
• Policies DP40 – DP41 relates to retail development within and outside the Defined Villages

(ii) the headlines from the self-assessment of compatibility (PAS template)

• An updated assessment of housing need arising within the National Park will be required, having regard to the Government’s new standard method for calculating the ‘policy off’ housing need and guidance for National Parks. This will also need to consider the needs of various groups/demographics.
• Updated Whole-Plan Viability Assessment will be required to consider the impacts on development from local planning policy requirements.
• A new Housing Land Availability Assessment should be undertaken to explore the potential for further site allocations in the National Park.
• The adopted Local Plan does not include a planning policy on self & custom build development and the Register in the National Park is growing.
• The retail policies are out of date and will need to be revised to reflect changes in the Use Classes Order.
• The detailed development management policies for residential development would benefit from being reviewed in lights of the experience of applying them for the last 6 years, appeal decisions and legal challenges.

Evidence base

• New Forest Housing Needs Assessment
• Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA)
• Rural services update
• Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA)

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Vibrant Communities (including housing)

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Vibrant Communities (including housing)

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Vibrant Communities (including housing)

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Vibrant Communities (including housing)

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Local Economy

Policies in the local plan play a key part in the delivery of the Authority’s duty to foster the socio-economic well being of local communities.

Brief summary of:

1. (i) the existing planning policy position in the adopted New Forest National Park Local Plan (2019)
2. (ii) the headlines from the self-assessment of compatibility (PAS template)

• Policy SP42 sets out the small-scale level of employment development appropriate in the National Park steered broadly towards the four defined villages.
• Policy SP43 seeks to retain existing employment sites, with some redevelopment for a mix of uses on existing sites in the defined villages.
• Policy DP44 sets out the criteria for consideration of the redevelopment of employment sites across the National Park
• Policy DP45 permits the limited extension of existing non-residential buildings
• Policy SP46 sets out criteria supporting sustainable tourism development allied to the National Park’s purposes and special qualities
• Policy DP47 permits the relocation of holiday parks and campsites from sensitive areas
• Policy SP48 sets out criteria for development supporting land-based businesses
• Policy DP49 permits the appropriate re-use of buildings outside defined villages to support the rural economy
• Policy DP50 sets out criteria for the consideration of new agricultural and forestry buildings
• Policies DP51, DP52 & DP53 set out criteria for horse-related development

The policies remain broadly aligned with national policy

The strategic approach in the adopted Local Plan to rely on windfall development for employment uses rather than allocating sites will need to be reviewed in light of an updated evidence base

The Article 4 direction on pop up campsite use has been implemented since the Local Plan was adopted and the relevant policies will need to be reviewed accordingly

Evidence base Employment Needs Assessment

Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA)

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Local Economy

Key Matters/Issues from Regulation 18 Part 1 consultation responses

NPA response

Article 4 Direction

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Local Economy

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Local Economy

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Local Economy

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Sustainable transport and access

Transport infrastructure through the National Park is broadly good with a number of strategic roads and rail links. There are adopted Local Transport Plans in place for both highway authorities. A key challenge for the local plan is to reduce the impacts of traffic on the special qualities of the National Park.

Brief summary of:

1. (i) the existing planning policy position in the adopted New Forest National Park Local Plan (2019)
2. (ii) the headlines from the self-assessment of compatibility (PAS template)

Policy SP54 sets out considerations for further development of the strategic transport infrastructure in the National Park.

Policy SP55 promotes safer access and more sustainable forms of transport within the National Park, through support for improvements to public transport facilities and encouragement of walking and cycling.

Managing growth in sustainable locations, and this is reflected in our current spatial strategy where new development is focused on the four most sustainable settlements in the National Park, which have the broadest range of community facilities, employment opportunities and transport links.

There is now greater emphasis on sustainable transport modes, particularly active travel by cycling and walking, than when the Plan was adopted in 2019, and this will need to be reflected in our policies.

The relatively limited level of small-scale development anticipated within the National Park over the next 20 years is unlikely to require major infrastructure changes.

There may be implications for transport infrastructure in the National Park arising from redevelopment of major sites outside the National Park boundary or on strategic road networks through the Park.

Evidence base Hampshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan 4 adopted in 2024

Emerging New Forest LCWIP

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Sustainable transport and access

Key Matters/Issues from Regulation 18 Part 1 consultation responses

NPA response

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Strategic Direction of Travel - Section Sustainable transport and access

Comment noted – however, the spatial development strategy focuses new development in the most sustainable locations and the new site allocations will be required to be assessed for traffic impacts etc.

Injury to commoners’ animals is noted but this falls outside the remit of the land use planning system. The Authority works with partners to reduce animal accidents, with deaths as a percentage of stock turned out at a historic low.

Noted

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6. Appendices

Appendix 1 – List of groups and organisations consulted during the Regulation 18 Part 1 Local Plan Direction of Travel consultation (February – March 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 - planning
• Wiltshire Council - transport
• Wiltshire Council - estates team
• Hampshire County Council - planning
• Hampshire County Council - transport
• Hampshire County Council - countryside services
• Hampshire County Council - Property services
• 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

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• Cranborne Chase & West Wilts Downs National Landscape
• ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Friends, Families and Travellers
• Fordingbridge Society
• Forestry England
• Forestry England
• Friends of Brockenhurst
• Friends of the New Forest
• Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
• 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 Farmers' Union
• National Grid
• National Trust
• National Trust Hants & IoW
• Network Rail
• 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
• New Forest Sports Council
• Go New Forest
• New Forest Transition
• 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
• Meyrick Estate

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Appendix 2 - Comment Form

New Forest National Park Authority Local Plan Review
February 2025

Comments Form

Consultation on Scope of the New Forest National Park Local Plan Review (Reg 18 Part 1)

This comments form relates to the review of the emerging Local Plan for the New Forest National Park following the adoption of the previous document in 2019. The consultation period will be open for 6 weeks from Tuesday 4 February 2025 until Tuesday 18 March 2025. Before completing this form please take the opportunity to read the Direction of Travel’ document (702/25) available here: New Forest National Park Authority Meeting 23/01/25 - New Forest National Park Authority and returning it to the Policy Team by email via policy@newforestnpa.gov.uk.

Or by post to:
Policy Team
Lymington Town Hall
Avenue Road
Lymington
SO41 9ZG

Comments need to be received by 5pm Tuesday 18 March 2025

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To keep up to date on this consultation and others relating to the local plan review please visit our consultations page here: Consultations - New Forest National Park Authority.

Your Details

Title: …………………………………….…………

Name: ……………………………………………..

Organisation: ……………………………….…… (where relevant)
……………………………………………

Address: ……………………………….…….
……………………………….…….
…………………………….……….

Postcode: …………………………….……….

Tel No: .………………....….

E-mail: …..……………………
…………………………………

*If you are completing this form as an agent, please make this clear and ensure contact information is correct.

DATA PROTECTION

We will process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your response(s) will be used to inform subsequent reports to inform the Local Plan Review process and anonymised comments may be shared online, on our website, or within material documents as part of this process. However, your personal data will not be published and will be redacted from public facing documents, this includes personal email addresses home addresses and personal phone numbers.

More details on how we hold personal information can be found at: http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/privacyandcookies. Should you require any further information about how your details will be used or stored and/or would like to access any information we hold about you, please email our Information & Data Protection Officer at: dpo@newforestnpa.gov.uk.

Please note that all information held by public authorities is subject to the Freedom of information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and may be disclosed upon request.

Feedback

Would you like us to keep your contact details so we can inform you about the next stages in the progress of preparing the Local Plan?

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Yes No

Please write your comments in the sections provided below

*Before providing us with your comments, please ensure you have read and consulted the ‘Direction of Travel’ Document.

1. Introduction

n/a Please comment below:

2. Strategic policies & development principles

Q1 Do you consider the current Local Plan Vision is still broadly appropriate? Please comment below:

Q2 Do the existing Strategic Objectives still represent the main considerations for development in the National Park? Please comment below:

Q3 Is the Spatial Strategy the most sustainable way to deliver new development over the next 20 years? Please comment below:

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3. The natural environment

Q4 Do you consider the current Local Plan policies on the natural environment still broadly align with national policy? Please comment below:

Q5 Are there any additional key issues that we may have missed? Please comment below:

Q6 Do you have views on the planning policy approach to climate change and are there areas we should look to go further on? Please comment below:

Q7 How can we use local planning policies to protect the relative tranquillity of large areas of the New Forest National Park? Please comment below:

4. Protecting and enhancing the historic and built environment

Q8 Do you consider the current Local Plan policies on the historic and built environment still broadly align with national policy? Please comment below:

Q9 Are there any additional key issues that we may have missed? Please comment below:

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5. Vibrant Communities (including housing)

Q10 Pending the conclusions of the current evidence base work on local housing needs, what do you consider to be the best approach to meeting needs in a way that is compatible with the statutory National Park purposes? Options include site allocations, revisions to the Defined Village boundaries and other alternatives that will be tested through the Sustainability Appraisal/SEA process. Please comment below:

Q11 Should the revised Local Plan identify specific settlements where rural exception sites would be supported in principle? Please comment below:

Q12 Do you agree with our intentions to retain policies focusing on commoners’ dwellings and Estate workers’ dwellings? Please comment below:

Q13 What is the best policy approach to protecting the character of the National Park from incremental change from proposals for replacement dwellings, extensions to dwellings and outbuildings? Please comment below:

Q14 Are there any additional key issues that we have missed? Please comment below:

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6. Local economy

Q15 Do you consider the current Local Plan policies on the local economy still broadly align with national policy? Please comment below:

Q16 Are there any additional key issues that we may have missed? Please comment below:

Q17 Do you have views on the planning policy approach to the range of uses within the defined shopping areas of the National Park? Please comment below:

Q18 Do you support our proposed approach to campsite development and continued use of Article 4 Directions? Please comment below:

Q19 What should be the local planning policy approach to the impacts of national permitted development rights on the local economy (e.g., office to residential)? Please comment below:

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7. Sustainable transport and access

Q20 Do you consider the current Local Plan transport policies still broadly align with local and national policy? Please comment below:

Q21 Are there any additional key issues that we may have missed? Please comment below:

Q22 Do you have views on whether the current transport policies adequately respond to the climate emergency? Please comment below:

Q23 Do you support the current cycle and car parking standards, or consider that they should be reviewed to support sustainable transport? Please comment below:

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Appendix 3 – Public Notice

Published in the Lymington Times & New Milton Advertiser on 7 February 2025.

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Appendix 4

Extract from Park Life autumn/winter 2024/2025

Extract from Park Life spring/summer 2025

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Appendix 5

Extracts from enews letter issued in February and March 2024

Feb:

March:

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Appendix 6 – Press release

Planning for the future of the New Forest National Park: Have your say on the Local Plan Review - New Forest National Park Authority

Planning for the future of the New Forest National Park: Have your say on the Local Plan Review

PUBLISHED ON: 3 FEBRUARY 2025

The New Forest National Park Authority is inviting people to share their views on development within the New Forest National Park.

An initial six-week public consultation on the review of the National Park Local Plan starts on 4 February and ends on 18 March 2025.

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. It includes a set of policies based on evidence, national guidelines, and input from those who live and work in the area.

The New Forest National Park is home to 34,000 residents and has a rich built heritage, with over 600 nationally listed buildings. More than 50% of the National Park is designated as being of international importance for nature conservation – the highest proportion of any planning authority in the country. The review of the Local Plan will ensure the right level of protection continues for these special landscapes.

Steve Trow, Chair of the Planning Committee at the New Forest National Park Authority said: ‘The current National Park Local Plan was adopted in 2019 following extensive consultation and independent examination, and we are now looking to update it to ensure it stays relevant and effective.

‘Over the past five years, national planning policy has undergone significant changes, particularly in areas such as the climate and nature emergencies and meeting local housing needs. This partial review is an opportunity to positively address these areas and establish the best possible planning policy framework for the National Park.’

The National Park Authority receives and determines over 500 planning applications every year. These decisions are based on local planning policies that consider the protected landscape, built and cultural heritage, special qualities, local economy, and the needs of the people living within the National Park.

Much of the current Local Plan continues to reflect national planning policy and the legal framework for National Parks, so will remain unchanged. At this stage in the Local Plan review process the National Park Authority is inviting feedback on the local planning policy areas it feels are ‘in scope’ for review.

These include supporting appropriate renewable energy proposals that don’t conflict with the statutory National Park purposes; conserving and enhancing the relative tranquillity of significant parts of the New Forest National Park; and considering the scope for new residential development.

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The National Park Authority is also running a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise alongside the Local Plan consultation, asking people to put forward sites to be considered for development through the Local Plan review. This will further support local housing and employment needs.

Communities, residents, landowners, parish councils, businesses, developers and interest groups in the New Forest National Park are all invited to comment on the Local Plan review.

Please submit your comments between 4 February and 18 March 2025:

• Online at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/LocalPlan2025
• By post to: Policy Team, National Park Authority, Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9ZG
• Or email policy@newforestnpa.gov.uk.

You can also discuss the review of the Local Plan with National Park Authority staff, and give your views at these public drop-in events:

• Monday 24 February: Bramshaw Village Hall, 2pm – 7pm
• Tuesday 25 February: Hyde Memorial Hall, 1.30pm – 6.30pm
• Monday 3 March: Brockenhurst Village Hall, 2pm – 7pm
• Friday 7 March: Lyndhurst Community Centre, 2pm – 7pm.

Feedback from this initial consultation will inform a revised draft Local Plan, which is due to be published for further public consultation in late 2025.

The revised draft New Forest National Park Local Plan will be submitted to the Government for independent examination and is due to be formally adopted by the National Park Authority in 2027.

-Ends-

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Appendix 7 – Social Media

Items posted on

Key stats:

Top posts:

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