Planning & Development

Planning decisions have shaped the New Forest for generations. Some have protected its character. Others have caused lasting harm.

For much of the second half of the 20th century, the wider Forest lacked the protection it needed. Fine words were written about the Crown lands and open Forest landscape, but the pastoral economy and the need to conserve the wider New Forest were too often ignored.

Larger Forest villages expanded, grazing land was developed, and loose-knit settlements were infilled. Around the Forest’s edges, the Waterside and coastal towns changed significantly as new housing estates, infrastructure and industry placed more pressure on the Forest and its surrounding landscape.

The result has been more traffic, more activity and a gradual loss of rural character in places that were once closely connected to the open Forest. The sight of ponies grazing beside Southampton Water, once part of the Forest’s wider landscape, has almost disappeared.

The New Forest Association has long challenged development that threatens the Forest. We have opposed major proposals where they would have caused serious harm, including the proposed container port at Dibden Bay.

The creation of the New Forest Heritage Area, later followed by formal National Park designation, brought stronger planning protection. But the final National Park boundary did not include all the areas proposed for inclusion, or all the places that form part of the wider New Forest landscape.

This matters because harmful development outside the boundary can still affect the Forest through increased traffic, recreational pressure, habitat damage, infrastructure, light, noise and loss of local character.

We support planning policies that protect the New Forest and its setting. We support small-scale development where it genuinely helps the rural economy, sustains commoning or protects the long-term character of Forest communities.

We oppose further residential development within the National Park, large-scale development near the Park that would harm the Forest or increase traffic across it, and small-scale changes that gradually suburbanise villages, lanes, verges and the wider landscape.

We monitor planning applications in and around the National Park and make representations where proposals are likely to damage the Forest. We also engage with local planning authorities as policies are prepared or reviewed, and will make the Association’s case at public inquiries or examinations when needed.

Public bodies have a duty to consider the purposes of the National Park when decisions may affect the designated landscape. Where necessary, we will remind them of that responsibility.

The Forest cannot speak for itself. Through careful scrutiny and a clear independent voice, we work to ensure development does not come at the cost of the New Forest’s future.

Join us and help protect the New Forest from harmful development.

Documents from the Planning and Transport Committee are available HERE.