FAQs about council land and boundaries

This page is intended as an aid to finding answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) relating to land ownership issues within the New Forest District

How do I find out if the District Council owns a certain parcel of land?

We have a computerised system of large scale Ordnance Survey maps showing the boundaries of all land owned by the District Council. Follow this link to ascertain if the land you are enquiring about is owned by this council on the New Forest Mapping System using what would you like to do, choose map features, 'tick' NFDC Land, search using the property address.

If the District Council are not the land owner, how do I find who does own it?

You can contact the Land Registry on 0300 006 0411 to obtain the relevant enquiry form for registered pieces of land.

Who owns open access areas such as the heathland and woodland of New Forest and how do I contact them?

Most of the open land in the New Forest is owned and managed by Forestry England  who you can contact on 0300 067 4600.

Who do I contact if I have a query concerning the National Park?

You can contact the New Forest National Parks Authority  on 01590 646600.  

How do I find out about planning applications for a parcel of District Council owned land?

Responsibility for Planning Applications on District Council owned land is shared jointly between New Forest District Council and New Forest National Park Authority. You can find out which Planning Authority applies by using the NFDC Planning site.

How do I find out about a planning application In the New Forest District Council planning area?

Full information, including all plans and comments received on all current applications can be easily found at NFDC planning applications online.

How do I find out about a planning application In the New Forest National Park?

Full information, including all plans and comments received on all current applications can be found at New Forest National Park Planning Applications Online on 01590 646600.  

Will the District Council sell or lease me a certain parcel of land that they own?

You should look on the New Forest Mapping System  using What would you like to do, choose Map Layers, 'tick' NFDC Land, search using the Property Address to see if the Council own the land. If they do you should call 02380 285000 and make an initial enquiry with the Estates and Valuations team. 

If the Council do not own the land you can usually find out the ownership information by contacting the Land Registry on 0300 006 0411 and obtaining the relevant enquiry form for registered parcels of land.

Who do I tell about unauthorised encampments on District Council Land?

You should look on the New Forest Mapping System  using What would you like to do, choose map layers, 'tick' NFDC Land, search using the Property Address to see if the council own the land. If they do you should call 02380 285000 and make an initial enquiry with the Estates and Valuations team.

If the council do not own the land you can usually find out the ownership information by contacting the Land Registry on 0300 006 0411 and obtaining the relevant enquiry form for registered parcels of land.

Can I carry out metal detecting on District Council Land?

The council does not permit metal detecting on their Land.

How do I find out about permission for a recreational activity or event on public open space owned by the District Council?

The Council does not grant specific consents for activities by individual members of the public to use public open space for their specific pursuit.  All users of public open space are reminded that their enjoyment of public open space must not put themselves or other members of the public at risk or impede enjoyment by other members of the public.

To ask about consent for an organised public event on public open space you should look on the New Forest Mapping System  using What would you like to do, choose map layers, 'tick' NFDC Land, search using the property address to see if the council own the land. If they do you should make an initial enquiry with the Customer Services Team on line customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk or call on 02380 285000.

If the council do not own the land to establish ownership you can contact the Land Registry on 0300 006 0411 to obtain the relevant enquiry form for registered pieces of land.

Who do I tell about anti-social behaviour on public land?

You can contact the police or the Safer New Forest Partnership on 02380 285441.

Who do I contact about environmental concerns in the New Forest District Council Area?

You should contact 02380 285000. 

How do I find out the extent of the public highway?

You can find out details of the extent of the public highway through Hampshire County Council Highways on 0300 555 1375.

How do I report an issue with the highway?

You can contact Hampshire County Council Roads and Highways on 0300 555 1375.

Are the council responsible for maintaining the green space/verge on the housing estate where I live?

The areas the council are responsible for are shown on the  New Forest Mapping System  You can see these by using What would you like to do, choose map layers, 'tick' grounds maintenance, search using the Property Address. If they are you should make an initial enquiry with the customer services team on line customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk or call on 02380 285000.

Who should cut back the overgrowth protruding across my boundary?

If you think your property boundaries Council owned land you should look on the New Forest Mapping System  using What would you like to do, choose Map Layers, 'tick' NFDC Land, search using the Property Address to see if the Council own the land. If they do you should make an initial enquiry with the Customer Services Team on line customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk or call on 02380 285000.

If the Council do not own the land to establish ownership you can contact the Land Registry on 0300 006 0411 to obtain the relevant enquiry form for registered parcels of land.

My neighbour has moved their boundary and it encroaches onto my land, how do I check the correct boundary?

If you are the private owner of your property, the responsibility for your boundaries may have been described in your conveyance documentation.

If your neighbour's property is also privately owned the Information is not held by the council and this is private matter between the landowners.  The council does not have any powers to intervene between private landowners.

If you think your property has a boundary(s) with council owned land and that the council is responsible to maintain it you can look on the New Forest Mapping System  using What would you like to do, choose map layers, 'tick' NFDC Land, search using the property address to check if the council own the land. If they do you can make an initial enquiry with the customer services team on line customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk or call on 02380 285000.

How to check who is responsible to repair my boundary fencing?

If you are the private owner of your property, the responsibility for your boundaries may be in your conveyance documentation.

If your neighbour's property is privately owned this is private matter between the landowners and the council does not have any powers to intervene.

If you think your property has a boundary(s) with council owned land and that the council is responsible to maintain all or part of it you can look on the New Forest Mapping System  using what would you like to do, choose map layers, 'tick' NFDC Land, search using the property address to check if the council own the adjacent land. If they do you can make an initial enquiry with the customer services team online customer.services@nfdc.gov.uk or call on 02380 285000.

How do I find out if the council have any available grazing land?

The council do own a very small number of Grazing sites across the District which are generally fully occupied. Should any become available the details will be added to the councils website.

Rural estate agents in the locality will have details of available privately owned grazing land.

Who should I inform about fly tipping on land in New Forest District Council area?

You can contact New Forest District Council Street Cleaning and Care Team on 02380 285000.