The New Forest National Park Authority is inviting comments on new design guidance for the parish of Copythorne in the north east of the National Park.
A Parish Design Statement (PDS) is a way for local communities to set out guidelines for the design of any new development in their area and adds local detail to existing planning guidance.
The project steering group – made up of parish councillors and local residents – has prepared a document including the history of the main settlements within the parish and a series of local design guidelines. The aim of the Parish Design Statement is to help ensure planning applications brought forward by local residents, businesses and landowners enhance the distinctive local character of the area (which includes two Conservation Areas).
Copythorne Parish Council is keen to ensure that its Parish Design Statement carries weight in planning decisions through its formal adoption as a supplementary planning document. The Parish Council’s steering group has worked with the National Park Authority’s planning policy team and building design and conservation officers on the draft.
David Illsley, Policy and Conservation Manager at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: ‘Copythorne Parish Council has a real pride in their area of the New Forest National Park and has worked hard to prepare the draft Parish Design Statement. This consultation gives local residents and others the opportunity to input into the design guidance for the parish before it’s formally adopted.’
He added: ‘Identifying what makes Copythorne special enables new development to make a positive contribution to the local distinctiveness and character of the parish.’
The public consultation on the draft Copythorne Parish Design Statement runs from Wednesday 23 April to Wednesday 4 June 2025.
Liaising with the Parish Council, the National Park Authority will consider all the responses received during the six-week period and make further revisions as necessary before the document is formally adopted in July 2025.
Have your say
- Online at: newforestnpa.gov.uk/consultations.
- By post to: Policy Team, New Forest National Park Authority, Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9ZG
- Or email policy@newforestnpa.gov.uk.
The draft documents are also available to view at Lymington Town Hall during normal office opening hours during the consultation period.
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