New Forest Local Plan draft duty to cooperate statement

• HCC appoints 5 of the NFNPA’s 22 members
• A statutory consultee on the New Forest National Park Local Plan Review
• HCC provides a number of statutory functions within much of the National Park, including education and highways
• Represented on the New Forest National Park Leaders’ Panel
• HCC and NFNPA work closely on the separate partial update of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Local Plan – currently at examination and due to be adopted in 2026
• HCC responded to the initial Local Plan Review Strategic Direction of Travel consultation in early 2025. Their responses highlighted the need for the Local Plan Review to refer to the recently updated Local Transport Plan 4; the role of the National Park as part of the ‘natural health service’; and the importance of the ‘blue/green’ infrastructure in the National Park. The Regulation 18 Part 2 draft Local Plan responds to these representations and also includes reference to the New Forest Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (2025)
• HCC are an important partner in the cross-New Forest gypsy & traveller needs assessment work which has taken place in 2025
• The NFNPA has also engaged HCC as a landowner in the National Park, with two of the proposed housing site allocations within the Regulation 18 Part 2 draft Local Plan being HCC-owned sites

Summary: HCC has a statutory role for a range of functions within the National Park, including being the highways authority for circa 95% of the Park. The NFNPA has responded to the representations made by HCC on the Direction of Travel document through several sections in the draft Plan. The NFNPA and HCC are also liaising over the HCC-owned development sites identified in the draft Plan

• NFDC appoint 4 of the NFNPA’s 22 members
• A statutory consultee on the emerging NFNPA Local Plan
• Provide a number of statutory functions within much of the Park, including housing, economic development & environmental health.
• Represented on the New Forest Natonal Park Leaders’ Panel
• NFDC responded to the initial Local Plan Review Strategic Direction of Travel consultation in early 2025. In these representations NFDC highlighted the importance of continued joint working between NFDC and the NFNPA on managing the impacts of development on international nature conservation areas. NFDC’s response recognises that the standard method for calculating housing need does not apply to the NFNPA, but encourages the NPA to ensure that a full range of options in relation to housing provision are considered by the Sustainability Appraisal to evaluate the National Park’s ability to play the fullest possible part in addressing housing needs, responding to the demographics of the New Forest and halting the decline in population. The Regulation 18 Part 2 draft Local Plan responds to these representations, with the quantum of development proposed sufficient to stop the decline in population and help support local services
• NFDC are the statutory housing authority for circa 94% of the National Park area. The Regulation 18 draft Local Plan includes the District Council’s housing allocation policy in the annex to the Local Plan
• The NFNPA and NFDC work very closely on their respective local plan reviews and this includes the commissioning of joint evidence base studies on housing need, employment needs and gypsy and traveller provision. The two planning authorities also have regular officer-level liaison meetings focusing specifically on the local plan review process and cross-boundary matters
• This includes agreeing joint methodology developed for the qualitative assessment of existing employment sites in the District and National Park area.
• The two authorities have liaised closely on the future of the former Fawley Power Station site, with it common ground that the most appropriate use of the site is for employment-led development (given the site’s status as one of the Solent Freeport Tax Sites).
• The NFNPA and NFDC have, to date, jointly designated seven Neighbourhood Areas in parishes that straddle the National Park and District Council boundary and supported the making of three of these. The two authorities have worked collaboratively to support the emerging Neighbourhood Plans
• The NFNPA and NFDC are part of the partnership of local authorities and Natural England working on a strategic approach to habitat mitigation measures for development close to the New Forest’s internationally designated sites. NFDC currently fund a mitigation ranger that is hosted by the NFNPA
• The NFNPA and NFDC have also worked closely together to bring forward nutrient mitigation sites. For example, the overarching legal agreement for the Kingwell BNG and nutrient mitigation scheme at Keyhaven is signed by the NFNPA and NFDC to enable new development within the two New Forest planning areas to access the units and credits
• Both the NFNPA and NFDC are active members of the Partnership for South Hampshire and input into the Joint Position Statement

Summary: Although NFDC and the NFNPA prepare separate development plans, the two planning authorities liaise closely at both officer and member level. Work on strategic cross boundary issues including the redevelopment of the Fawley Power Station site; meeting housing needs; and habitat mitigation measures is ongoing and the co-operation has also included the joint commissioning of evidence base studies.

• WC appoint 2 of the NFNPA’s 22 members
• WC area a statutory consultee on the emerging NFNPA Local Plan
• WC provides a number of statutory functions within part of the National Park, including housing, education and highways.
• Represented on the New Forest National Park Leaders’ Panel
• Wiltshire Council is represented on the steering group overseeing the strategic recreational mitigation work to address impacts on the New Forest SPA, SAC and Ramsar from planned new development
• WC and NFNPA are part of the Hampshire Avon working group that meets to address water quality impacts arising from new development on the designated sites of the River Avon. The NFNPA and WC have signed an overarching legal agreement to enable development in the catchment to access phosphate credits at a private mitigation scheme near Downton
• The NFNPA attended the ‘Duty to Cooperate’ Examination hearing session for the draft Wiltshire Local Plan Review in Summer 2025, confirming our view that Wiltshire Council had met the duty in relation to cross-boundary matters with the New Forest National Park
• NFNPA and Wiltshire Council officers met in Autumn 2025 to discuss the New Forest National Park Local Plan Review, including the identification of potential development sites in the Wiltshire area of the National Park. This included liaison with Wiltshire Council housing and planning policy officers. Wiltshire Council’s allocation policy for new affordable housing – including the local connections tie – has been considered as part of the New Forest National Park Local Plan review and is directly referenced in Annex 4 of the draft Local Plan

Summary: WC is represented within the membership of the NFNPA and officer liaison between the two authorities is continuing on the main issues of housing need and developing a co-ordinated approach to habitat mitigation measures (focused on recreational impacts on the New Forest’s designated sites and water quality impacts on the River Avon).

• TVBC appoint 1 of the NFNPA’s 22 members
• A statutory consultee on the emerging NFNPA Local Plan
• TVBC provide a number of statutory functions (including housing) within a small part of the National Park. The Borough Council’s local connection criteria for affordable housing is summarised in Annex 4 of the draft New Forest National Park Local Plan
• Represented on the New Forest National Park Leaders’ Panel
• TVBC submitted comments on the Authority’s Strategic Direction of Travel document in early 2025. In these, TVBC supported the approach taken to tackle climate change, to protect / enhance biodiversity, to ensuring renewable energy schemes are compatible with the conservation and enhancement of the special qualities of the National Park; and the approach taken to conserve and enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the New Forest by working together on strategic environmental issues affecting the New Forest. TVBC supports the NFNPA’s approach towards collaborative working with neighbouring authorities, including the work of PfSH
• TVBC are represented on the steering group overseeing the strategic recreational mitigation work to address impacts on the New Forest SPA, SAC and Ramsar from planned new development
• TVBC and NFNPA are part of the Hampshire Avon working group that meets to address water quality impacts arising from new development on the designated sites of the River Avon. TVBC and NFNPA are also part of the Partnership for South Hampshire who are working to address Solent nutrient issues
• NFNPA and TVBC jointly designated a Neighbourhood Area for the parish of West Wellow which straddles the Park boundary. This area is now covered by a ‘made’ Neighbourhood Plan

Summary: TVBC is represented within the membership of the NFNPA and officer liaison between the authorities continues on the two main issues of the housing needs and developing a co-ordinated approach to habitat mitigation measures. TVBC and NFNPA are working (with other partners) on developing a cross boundary strategic approach to habitat mitigation.

• A statutory consultee on the emerging NFNPA Local Plan.
• DC are represented on the steering group overseeing the strategic recreational mitigation work to address impacts on the New Forest SPA, SAC and Ramsar from planned new development
• DC and NFNPA are part of the Hampshire Avon working group that meets to address water quality impacts arising from new development on the designated sites of the River Avon
• DC submitted comments on the Authority’s Strategic Direction of Travel document in early 2025 In these comments Dorset Council highlighted the need to consider the impact of policies in the emerging Local Plan on parts of Dorset. This relates to the impact of traffic and the use of facilities. When drawing up the Local Plan, Dorset Council emphasised the importance of engaging with Dorset Council as the Highways Authority. Dorset Council also recognise the defined 13.8km ‘zone of influence’ for the New Forest’s designated sites and the need to mitigate recreational impacts. The NFNPA will initiate further Duty to Cooperate engagement with Dorset Council as part of the Regulation 18 Part 2 consultation

Summary: The NFNPA and DC liaise over addressing the impacts of planned new development on the New Forest’s designated sites (recreational impacts) and River Avon designated sites (water quality impacts). None of the Dorset administrative area extends into the New Forest National Park and therefore none of the National Park’s housing need is directly attributable to Dorset

• A statutory consultee on the emerging NFNPA Local Plan.
• BCP Council are represented on the steering group overseeing the strategic recreational mitigation work to address impacts on the New Forest SPA, SAC and Ramsar from planned new development. The two authorities have a legal agreement to enable development in the BCP administrative area to contribute towards mitigation measures within the National Park
• BCP Council and NFNPA are part of the Hampshire Avon working group that meets to address water quality impacts arising from new development on the designated sites of the River Avon

Summary: The NFNPA and BCP liaise over addressing the impacts of planned new development on the New Forest’s designated sites (recreational impacts) and River Avon designated sites (water quality impacts). None of the BCP Council administrative area extends into the New Forest National Park and therefore none of the National Park’s housing need is directly attributable to BCP

• A statutory consultee on the emerging NFNPA Local Plan
• SCC are represented on the steering group overseeing the strategic recreational mitigation work to address impacts on the New Forest SPA, SAC and Ramsar from planned new development
• SCC and NFNPA are part of the Partnership for South Hampshire who are working to address Solent nutrient issues and have produced a Joint Position Statement
• SCC and NFNPA work closely on the separate joint Minerals & Waste Local Plan and related planning framework

Summary: SCC and NFNPA are both active members of the Partnership for South Hampshire and have contributed to work on the Joint Position Statement, addressing the impact of nutrient neutrality for the Solent’s designated sites, and updated evidence base work (e.g. SFRA). SCC are part of the steering group overseeing work to mitigate recreational impacts of development on the New Forest’s designated sites

• A statutory consultee on the emerging NFNPA Local Plan.
• The Government’s statutory advisor on nature conservation and landscape so work closely with the NFNPA
• As a statutory consultee, NE has input into the Sustainability Appraisal/SEA
• Represented on the New Forest National Park Leaders’ Panel
• Represented on the Steering Group that oversees the implementation of the New Forest National Park Habitat Mitigation SPD
• The NFNPA and Natural England are part of the partnership of local authorities and other relevant bodies working on a strategic approach to habitat mitigation measures for development close to the New Forest’s internationally designated sites
• Given the proportion of the New Forest National Park designated as being of international importance for nature conservation, the NFNPA has met and corresponded with Natural England on key issues as part of the preparation of the Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
• Work with the NFNPA and other planning authorities in the Solent on the delivery of the Bird Aware Solent mitigation strategy. The updated Bird Aware Solent Mitigation Strategy was adopted by the National Park Authority in late 2024
• NE made detailed representations on the Strategic Direction of Travel consultation held in early 2025. In these they confirmed their expectation that the revised Local Plan will include strategic policies to protect and enhance valued landscapes, as well as criteria-based policies to guide development. NE noted that the scale and extent of development within National Parks should be limited. They also advised that the revised Local Plan should set criteria-based policies to ensure the protection of designated biodiversity and geological sites. Such policies should clearly distinguish between international, national and local sites. NE highly recommend that the Local Plan review incorporates a policy for biodiversity net gain. The plan’s approach to biodiversity net gain should be compliant with the mitigation hierarchy, as outlined in paragraph 192 of the NPPF. NE recommend a review of policy SP9 to consider incorporating the Natural England Green Infrastructure Framework (NEGIF). NE stated that they expect the revised Local Plan to identify a Coastal Change Management Area and set out the type of policies and developments that would be appropriate in it. The Regulation 18 Part 2 Local Plan document responds to NE’s feedback, with the main policy areas highlighted in their representations all incorporated in the draft Plan.

Summary: As the Government’s statutory advisor on landscape and nature conservation, the NFNPA and NE have a close working relationship. NE and the NFNPA are both involved in the cross-boundary Bird Aware Solent recreation mitigation partnership work. NE are working with the NFNPA and others to develop a consistent approach to mitigating the recreational impacts of new development on the protected habitats of the National Park.

• A statutory consultee on the emerging Local Plan
• The Government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment so work closely with the NFNPA
• As a statutory consultee, HE also input into the Sustainability Appraisal/SEA for the NFNPA Local Plan Review
• Historic England’s main representation on the New Forest National Park Review ‘Strategic Direction of Travel’ consultation in early 2025 focused on the Local Plan giving further consideration to opportunities for integrated management of the historic and natural environment. The HE response also called for the Local Plan Review process to explore the contribution that heritage can make to the NPA’s climate change ambitions - recognising the contribution made by buildings to carbon emissions. HE called for the review of the adopted Local Plan to distinguish between the strategic approach to the historic environment and the development management policies. This is reflected in the Regulation 18 Part 2 draft Local Plan document.

Summary: HE has an important role as a consultee given the wealth of built and historic environment designations in the National Park. Statutory consultee on the Local Plan and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal/SEA

• A statutory consultee on the emerging Local Plan
• The EA are represented on the New Forest National Leaders’ Panel
• As a statutory consultee, EA has input into the Sustainability Appraisal/SEA work to date.
• EA involved in the modelling inputs for the Partnership for South Hampshire’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) which covers the whole of the New Forest National Park
• The EA’s main representation on the New Forest National Park Review ‘Strategic Direction of Travel’ consultation in early 2025 focused on the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) that forms a key part of the evidence base for the Local Plan Review. The EA’s representations call for the Local Plan to make direct reference to the Hurst Spit to Lymington Flood and Coastal Risk Management Strategy; and confirmed the EA would be interested in the possible designation of a Coastal Change Management Area on this stretch of the National Park’s coastline. The EA were also supportive of the inclusion of a BNG target within the Local Plan Review; and highlighted the need for water efficiency in new development. These points are reflected in the Regulation 18 Part 2 draft Local Plan document

Summary: The EA is a statutory consultee on the NFNPA Local Plan Review and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal / SEA process. The EA have also been involved in the South Hampshire SFRA work

• The NFNPA is one of 12 local planning authorities within the Partnership for South Hampshire
• To date nearly 20 nutrient mitigation schemes have been brought forward to address water quality impacts arising from new development on the Solent’s internationally designated sites. The NFNPA has signed agreements with 4 mitigation schemes that allow development in the National Park to access credits
• In December 2023, Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) published a Spatial Position Statement 2023 setting out the overall need for, and distribution of, development in south Hampshire
• The Spatial Position Statement (2023) recognises that new development in the PfSH area (within the 13.8km zone of influence) is contributing to increased recreational pressures on the internationally designated sites within the New Forest National Park
• A key priority for the PfSH authorities is to ensure that the natural environment is protected and enhanced alongside providing for the new development needed. PfSH recognise that South Hampshire has a rich and diverse natural environment

Summary: The NFNPA plays an active role in the Partnership for South Hampshire at both an officer and member level. The partnerships enables cross boundary working on matters including addressing the requirements of the Habitats Regulations (e.g. water quality and recreational impacts) and the level of planned development in the sub-region

• The NFNPA has jointly commissioned the following studies with NFDC to cover the combined administrative areas: (i) Housing Need Assessment (Iceni and Juston Gardner Consulting, 2025); (ii) Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment (ORS, due late 2025); (iii) Employment and Economic Needs Assessment (Lichfields, 2025). An assessment of existing employment sites across the National Park and District areas has been undertaken in-house using consistent methodology.
• The Economic Viability Assessment of the Authority’s Local Plan Review (Three Dragons, 2025) has involved engagement with neighbouring authorities. The housing teams at Wiltshire Council and New Forest District Council have been engaged in the viability work, given their roles as the statutory housing authorities for their respective areas of the Park.
• The South Hampshire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Aecom, 2025) was commissioned by the Partnership for South Hampshire, which has delivered economies of scale and reflects the fact that flood risk is not bound by administrative boundaries. The assessment covers the whole of the New Forest National Park.

• National park authorities are in an almost unique situation of being local planning authorities, but not local authorities, and therefore they do not receive a ‘policy off’ housing need figure generated by the Government’s standard method to be the starting point for the Local Plan Review process.
• In response the NFNPA has jointly commissioned work on housing needs with NFDC which will inform the two respective local plan reviews. This work confirms that there is no separate ‘New Forest Housing Market Area’, but that the National Park and District are covered by parts of the Southampton, Bournemouth and Salisbury Housing Market Areas.
• National policy (e.g. NPPG section on ‘Landscape’) confirms that the NPPF policies for protecting National Parks “…may mean that it is not possible to meet objectively assessed needs for development in full through the plan-making process, and they are unlikely to be suitable areas for accommodating unmet needs from adjoining (non-designated) areas.”
• In line with the recommendations of national policy, the NFNPA has made representations on the emerging BCP, Dorset and Wiltshire Local Plans confirming that there is not the capacity within the National Park to meet the identified housing needs without undermining the purposes for designation.
• With the Housing Needs Assessment work now completed, the NFNPA will use the Regulation 18 Part 2 consultation to formally engage neighbouring local planning authorities on the options for addressing housing need. The NFNPA will be contacting neighbouring authorities under the ‘duty to co-operate’ to formally seek assistance in delivering housing to meet identified housing needs.
• The NFNPA is also a member for the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) and the PfSH Spatial Position Statement (December 2023) summarises the position on housing delivery in the sub-region.

• The NFNPA works with Natural England and 14 other local authorities to deliver the Bird Aware Mitigation Strategy. This covers all 26 miles of the New Forest National Park coastline and addresses in-combination recreational impacts arising from new development within 5.6km of the coastal designations. The updated Strategy was endorsed by the NFNPA in late 2024. Contributions from developments within the National Park are pooled with those gathered elsewhere to deliver a range of mitigation measures.
• The NFNPA works with the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) to address water quality impacts on the Solent’s designated sites. To date around 20 nutrient credit mitigation schemes have been brought forward and the NFNPA has signed legal agreements in place with mitigation schemes in Eastleigh, New Forest District and the Isle of Wight that enable development in the National Park to access the available credits. The NFNPA currently chairs the PfSH Natural Environment Group meetings which include standing items on nutrient neutrality.
• The NFNPA is a member of the Hampshire Avon Working Group, which brings together 6 planning authorities within the catchment of the River Avon to address water quality impacts arising from phosphates on the Avon’s internationally designated sites. The NFNPA has a signed legal agreement in place with the landowner and host authority (Wiltshire Council) to enable development in the National Park to access available phosphate credits.
• The NFNPA is leading work on delivering a strategic solution to addressing in-combination recreational impacts on the New Forest’s internationally designated sites. The New Forest Strategic Access & Management (SAMM) work engages 9 planning authorities across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire within the defined 13.8km ‘zone of influence’. Work on a comprehensive strategy is progressing and in the meantime the NFNPA is working in partnership with several authorities (including Fareham and BCP Council) to deliver interim mitigation. The NFNPA hosts the ‘People & Wildlife Ranger’ funded through developer contributions secured by NFDC.
• The NFNPA’s Habitat Mitigation Scheme is overseen by a steering group made up of representatives of Natural England, NFDC, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the RSPB to guide the implementation of mitigation measures linked to development within the National Park.

• The NFNPA meets regularly with the planning policy team at NFDC to discuss strategic cross-boundary matters. This includes the future of the former Fawley Power Station site – which is located entirely within NFDC’s planning remit – and the various Freeport Tax & Customs sites on the Waterside area of the New Forest (including the Fawley Waterside site, which is partly within the New Forest National Park).

• Meeting with planning policy and housing officers at NFDC to agree joint tender for an updated assessment of housing needs arising in the New Forest area. The project inception meeting was held on 30 September 2024 and the project responds to the unique geography of the New Forest (and guidance in the NPPG) to ensure up to date evidence of local housing need is available.
• Kings Manor, Isle of Wight legal agreement signed to enable development in the National Park to access nutrient credits and Biodiversity Units on this approved scheme. The nutrient credits are available for development within the Lymington & Beaulieu River catchments of the National Park
• Partnership for South Hampshire Planning Officers’ Group meeting (18 September 2024). The meeting focused on the proposed revisions to national planning policy arising from the NPPF consultation; and the monitoring of housing completions of the updated annual Statement of Common Ground
• Partnership for South Hampshire Inter-Authority Agreement meeting to agree legal principles for the deployment of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Funding. The NFNPA is a signatory of the Inter Authority Agreement, which guides the use of circa £16 million of mitigation funding for the Solent catchment

• NFNPA and NFDC planning policy officers’ liaison meeting – 8 October 2024. The main focus was on the recent jointly commissioned housing needs assessment work which will cover the combined administrative areas of NFDC and the NFNPA, providing a key part of the evidence base for the respective Local Plan reviews
• Project inception meeting for the combined New Forest National Park and New Forest District Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment with the jointly appointed consultants (ORS) (11 October 2024). The assessment will cover the combined planning administrative areas of the National Park and District Council
• Partnership for South Hampshire Natural Environment Group meeting (16 October 2024). The main agenda items were on the deployment of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Funding for the Solent sub-region – guided by the Inter Authority Agreement – and the updated Bird Aware Solent Strategy which provides strategic mitigation for planning authorities within the zone of influence

• Partnership for South Hampshire Natural Environment Group meeting (27 November 2024). The main agenda items were an update on the stage reached for the Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy – which is relevant for local plan-preparation; the updated Bird Aware Solent mitigation strategy; and the Local Nutrient Mitigation Funding

• Steering & Local Planning Authority Group Joint Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy meeting – 4 December 2024. In person workshop hosted by Hampshire County Council for all supporting authorities (including the New Forest National Park Authority) for the Hampshire LNRS

• Partnership for South Hampshire Natural Environment Group meeting (8 January 2025). The meeting discussed the latest nutrient mitigation supply and demand analysis report for the catchment and the implications of the recently revised NPPF
• Annual meeting of the NPA Habitat Mitigation Steering Group – 9 January 2025. The steering group reviewed the mitigation measures implemented in the previous year and agreed the priorities for the 2025/26 financial year
• Meeting of the Hampshire Avon Working Group to discuss the deployment of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Funding in the Avon catchment; and the implications of the future upgrades to wastewater treatment works in the catchment to the ‘technically achievable limit’ (TAL) for phosphates

• Partnership for South Hampshire Planning Officers’ Group meeting (11 February 2024). The main agenda item was on the housing supply monitoring figures, which are collated across the sub-region (including completions within the National Park). The monitoring is relevant to the PfSH Spatial Position Statement
• Liaison with the planning policy team at NFDC to agree consistent criteria for the assessment of existing employment sites across the two planning authority areas. This will inform the employment needs assessment work that is in the process of being jointly commissioned
• Partnership for South Hampshire Natural Environment Group meeting (26 February 2025). The meeting discussed the nutrient credit supply & demand analysis across the sub-region to help monitor the supply of credits. Discussions also covered the consistent use of NE’s Solent Nutrient Budget calculator
• The New Forest National Park Local Plan Review initial Regulation 18 ‘Strategic Direction of Travel’ consultation ran from 4 February to 18 March 2025. As part of this 6-week consultation the NPA contacted a wide range of statutory and other consultees and also held 4 public drop-in sessions across the National Park. The consultation was widely publicised and as well as being directly notified of the consultation the NPA offered to meet relevant consultees

• The New Forest National Park Local Plan Review initial Regulation 18 ‘Strategic Direction of Travel’ consultation continued until 18 March 2025. As part of this consultation presentations were given to the New Forest National Park Parish Quadrant meetings
• An update on the New Forest National Park Local Plan Review ‘Strategic Direction of Travel’ consultation was given to the New Forest Consultative Panel at their meeting on 6 March 2025

• As part of the updated assessment of housing need in the combined New Forest area – National Park and District – a workshop was held for all NFNPA members and NFDC councillors to find out more about the emerging findings and the implications for the respective local plan reviews – 2 April 2025
• Partnership for South Hampshire Planning Officers’ Group meeting (4 April 2025). The meeting considered the Spatial Position Statement Monitoring Report, with the majority of authorities unable to demonstrate a five-year land supply. The MHCLG Working Paper: 'Development and Nature Recovery' which seeks to essentially centralise the delivery of nutrient and other mitigation projects that facilitate new development was also discussed
• NFNPA planning policy and ecology officers met with Natural England officers to discuss in detail their representations on the New Forest National Park Local Plan Review Regulation 18 ‘Strategic Direction of Travel’ consultation – 22 April 2025. The meeting included discussions on impacts such as urban edge, water quality, and recreational pressures that are relevant for the Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment work

• New Forest Strategic Access Management & Monitoring (SAMM) steering group meeting (7 May 2025). The main outstanding matter discussed at the meeting was the approach taken to larger developments within the 13.8km – 15km ‘outer’ zone.
• Joint site visit between senior NFNPA and NFDC planning officers to the former Fawley Power Station to discuss future options for the site (15 May 2025). This is a key issue for both respective local plans given the extant site allocations.
• Partnership for South Hampshire Natural Environment Group meeting (28 May 2025). The main agenda covered the latest iteration of the nutrient mitigation supply and demand analysis being prepared for the Joint Committee in September.

• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Planning Officers’ Group meeting – 5 June 2025. The main discussions focused on the impacts of Devolution in Hampshire and the Solent for plan-making; and the implications of the higher housing requirements for the recreation mitigation strategies that many planning authorities have in place
• NFNPA - NFDC liaison meeting regarding major projects in the Waterside area of the New Forest – 10 June 2025. The Waterside area includes several key strategic sites, including ABP’s strategic land reserve at Dibden Bay; the former Fawley Power Station site and Fawley Refinery. Both planning authorities recognise the need to cooperate and liaise vet the future planning of this area.
• Meeting with ABP regarding the Port of Southampton major development proposals – 13 June 2025. This is in advance of an initial public consultation on the proposals at the strategic land reserve site, which would be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and includes land within the New Forest National Park

• Economic Viability Assessment workshop with developers and constituent housing authorities – 10 July 2025. The workshop was co-hosted by the NFNPA and our appointed consults Three Dragons and gave attendees the opportunity to input into this key piece of evidence base work
• Partnership for South Hampshire Natural Environment Group meeting (23 July 2025)

• Liaison meeting with the Solent Mitigation Partnership to discuss strategic mitigation measures – including the monitoring of the supply and demand of nutrient credits arising from development across the catchment; the established mitigation schemes and options for use of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund

• Meeting with ABP – HCC – NFDC – NFNPA regarding ABP’s Strategic Land Reserve and the emerging NSIP proposals – 8 September 2025. All 3 of the ‘host authorities’ will be required to prepare a ‘Local Impact Report’ at the appropriate point in the NSIP process. The three authorities are looking to enter into a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) with Associated British Ports and have also jointly appointed an officer to co-ordinate inputs in the process.
• Partnership for South Hampshire Natural Environment Group meeting (17 September 2025). The main agenda item was on appraising the implementation of BNG monitoring and compliance by local planning authorities and the opportunities for further joint working to ensure greater consistency.
• NFNPA and NFDC planning policy officers’ liaison meeting – 19 September 2025. The meeting covered the NFNPA’s planned Regulation 18 Part 2 Local Plan consultation document and the dates for consultation. Consideration was also given to potential joint drop-in sessions if the timetabling permits. It was agreed that the NPA would share the text of their draft Plan prior to it going into the public domain when the reports are published for the October 2025 full Authority meeting.
• NFNPA – Wiltshire Council liaison meeting regarding the NFNPA Local Plan review and the statutory responsibilities of Wiltshire Council. The meeting focused on the Wiltshire area of the National Park and the site allocations being considered. As a result of the meeting the NFNPA further engaged the Housing team at Wiltshire Council to discuss the local connection criteria and how the cascade set out in the legal agreement works for development sites adjacent to the housing authority’s administrative boundary (in this case with NFDC).
• Partnership for South Hampshire Planning Officers’ Group meeting – 24 September 2025. Discussions had focused on the updates and reviews of the Spatial Position Statement (2023) as a demonstration of the duty to cooperate. It was agreed that a statement would be prepared that would reiterate that local authorities have a statutory duty to co-operate with each other on strategic matters, including unmet housing needs; and reiterate that the PfSH Spatial Position Statement, approved in December 2023, supports this duty. The statement will confirm that it is not proposed to seek to update the PfSH Spatial Position Statement given that the proposed Mayoral Combined Authority for Hampshire and the Solent will have new statutory responsibilities to address these strategic planning issues through the new Spatial Development Strategy

• Liaison with HCC and NFDC regarding the signing of a Planning Performance Agreement to oversee the work on the emerging Solent Gateway 2 proposals – 3 October 2025. The PPA would guide the work of the three ‘host authorities’ on the emerging Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project at Solent Gateway 2
• Inaugural meeting of the Stakeholder Reference Group and site visit to Solent Gateway 2 – 23 October 2025.