Local Plan review

What a Local Plan is

A Local Plan is a document prepared by the local planning authority which shapes how places will continue to change in the future.

As well as setting a vision for the future of the area, a Local Plan sets a strategy for how, when, and where needs of the community will be met. This includes addressing housing needs and provides policies to address specific matters.

In the New Forest, the National Park Authority is responsible for planning decisions within the National Park, and New Forest District Council is responsible for planning decisions in all areas of the district that fall outside the National Park boundary.  

Local Plans need to be reviewed by the local planning authority who prepared them every 5 years. 

Local Plan review

Our Cabinet of 7 February 2024 approved the start of a full review of the adopted Local Plan, and this is underway.

Once adopted the Local Plan provides the basis upon which future development proposals are assessed against.

The current programme for the review of our local plan review can be seen in our Local Development Scheme. 

If you would like to be part of these Local Plan Review consultations, you can  provide your details below so we can notify you directly.

Sign up to our local plan consultation database

You can also register for our citizen engagement platform, Go Vocal and submit suggestions to open consultations in our Local Plan folder.

Issues and scope consultation

We are inviting residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share their views as part of the latest Local Plan consultation, which runs from Monday 17 February 2025 until Friday 4 April 2025. 

The 'Issues and Scope' stage of Local Plan consultation is the first step in shaping the next Local Plan, which will guide development and looks to create a place where people want to live as well as create a sense of belonging. The consultation explores key issues, including housing needs, health and wellbeing, environmental protection, and sustainable transport, but at this early stage, it does not include specific development sites or policy proposals.

The Issues and Scope Consultation document is comprehensive, and has the consultation questions we ask in our survey at the end of each relevant section of text. By participating, you have the chance to help shape a balanced plan that reflects local priorities and challenges.

You can download a copy for reading offline, or for printing.

Download the Issues and Scope Consultation document (PDF, 991 KB)

Alternatively, you can browse an online copy of the document with a helpful interactive glossary to explain planning jargon and acronyms.

View the Issues and Scope Document online

Please share your views on our Go Vocal site, you may need to register to take the survey. We ask questions on a wide range of issues identified in the document, and we also ask you to let us know any other issues that you feel we have missed and should be addressed.

Take the Survey

Drop-in Sessions

We will be hosting 'drop-in' sessions at locations around our communities, providing residents the opportunity to discuss the Local Plan directly with officers.

These 'drop-in' sessions are due to take place between late February and early March 2025.

Cabinet of 7 February 2024

The Cabinet of 7 February 2024 approved the start of a full review of the adopted Local Plan.

You can read the Cabinet report for further details.

The full review of the adopted Local Plan will include a review of the Local Plan Part 1: Planning Strategy 2020 and policies saved from earlier local plans as well as the preparation of a design code for the plan area.

If you would like to be part of the consultations we will be undertaking as part of the Local Plan review, please provide your details below.

Sign up to our local plan consultation database