Planning policy guidance
We have a range of additional planning policy guidance prepared to supplement policies in local plan, some of which is formally adopted and some informal guidance.
Some documents deal with specific topics or types of development, while others are site or area specific. In all cases, we will have regard to the requirements of the relevant guidance when determining applications for development.
If you are submitting a development proposal, you should familiarise yourself with any supplementary planning document (SPD) or supplementary planning guidance (SPG) which might affect your proposals.
Latest updates
Our Cabinet of 3 April 2024 approved the adoption of the 'Planning for Climate Change' Supplementary Planning Document.
The SPD will be used in the determination of planning applications for the construction of new homes and for other developments in the New Forest district area outside of the National Park.
The key objectives of the SPD are to encourage the development industry to take all reasonable steps to reduce carbon emissions when designing and constructing new buildings, and to make new development more sustainable and resilient to climate extremes. The SPD sets out best practice approaches or standards that we encourage developers to target or to adopt.
Supplementary planning documents (SPD)
SPDs provide additional planning policy guidance, which supplements the policies in development plan documents. They form part of the LDF. A list of the currently adopted SPD documents can be downloaded below.
Air quality in new development - adopted June 2022
Design of waste management facilities - adopted February 2007 (PDF) [1MB] Please see our technical guidance note from February 2022 which contains the most recent information on waste management facilities in residential development.
Fordingbridge town design statement - adopted November 2008 (PDF) [4MB]
Housing design, density and character - adopted April 2006 (PDF) [1MB]
Lymington local distinctiveness - adopted February 2011 (PDF) [21MB]
Mitigation for recreational impacts on new forest european sites - adopted May 2021
New Milton local distinctiveness - adopted June 2010 (PDF) [7MB]
Parking Standards - Adopted April 2022
Planning for Climate Change - Adopted April 2024
Ringwood town access plan - adopted March 2011 (PDF) [4MB]
Ringwood local distinctiveness - adopted July 2013 (PDF) [16MB]
Shopfront design guide - adopted January 2001 (PDF) [2MB]
West Totton development brief No. 4 - adopted October 1993 (PDF) [4MB]
Supplementary planning guidance documents (SPG)
Supplementary planning guidance documents (SPG) have also been formally adopted. However, they do not have SPD status and do not form part of the LDF. A list of the current guidance can be downloaded below.
Breamore village design statement - adopted October 2000 (PDF) [12MB]
Conservatory design guidance - adopted April 2004 (PDF) [1MB]
Hordle village design statement - adopted December 2014 (PDF) [4MB]
Hyde village design statement - adopted December 2011 (PDF) [2MB]
Milford on Sea village design statement - adopted December 2002 (PDF) [3MB]
Residential design guide for rural areas - adopted September 1999 (PDF) [17MB]
Totton town centre urban design framework - adopted April 2003 (PDF) [5MB]
Other guidance
In addition, you should familiarise yourself with the following topics and guidance which may affect your proposals.
Biodiversity net gain and ecology
Bird Aware Solent mitigation scheme
Blashford Lakes strategic management plan (PDF) [3MB]
Conservation areas and character assessments
Current developer contributions towards recreational habitat mitigation and air quality
Cranborne Chase AONB management plan
Great crested newt district licensing scheme
Housing standards review (code for sustainable homes) (PDF) [36KB]
Landscape character assessment - July 2000 (PDF) [19MB] and Character type area map (PDF) [5MB]
You may also wish to view our Infrastructure page for further information on CIL, nutrient mitigation and developer contributions.
You can read our planning guidance for householders, businesses and developers, including information on permitted development rights.
You can also view or comment on a planning application.
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