Statutory Bodies

The New Forest is managed through a complex network of statutory bodies, each with important responsibilities.

The Verderers of the New Forest have ancient origins, but their role remains highly relevant today. They regulate matters relating to common rights and help protect the open Forest by requiring their consent for development on the unenclosed Crown lands. Their Court also provides an important forum where local views can be heard. We support the continuing role of the Verderers as a regulating authority for commoning and as protectors of the Forest’s landscape and natural habitats.

Forestry England manages the Crown lands of the New Forest. This role carries national and international significance because of the Forest’s rare habitats, protected landscapes and cultural importance. While past forestry practices harmed parts of the Forest, more recent work has included Forest Design Plans and habitat restoration projects. We welcome initiatives that restore habitats and support the Forest’s special character, but believe management of the Crown lands must always put conservation, commoning, landscape and long-term ecological health first.

The New Forest National Park Authority became fully operational in 2006 and is the local planning authority for the National Park. Its designation brought important opportunities to strengthen protection for the Forest and its setting. We will continue to engage with the Authority to ensure planning, policy and management decisions support the long-term conservation and enhancement of the New Forest.

We also look to Natural England to act consistently and strongly in carrying out its statutory duties for protected habitats and landscapes within the New Forest National Park.

The Association supports the ownership and management responsibility for the Crown lands remaining in the public domain. We also support proper funding and resourcing for the bodies responsible for managing the Forest, including the workers, keepers, wardens, ecologists and officers needed to protect such a sensitive landscape.

We will work with each of the principal New Forest bodies as a critical friend. Where appropriate, we will join partnership projects that further the protection and enhancement of the Forest. We will support constructive ideas, but we will also oppose and campaign against proposals that are not in the Forest’s best interests.

The Forest cannot speak for itself. By holding statutory bodies to account, we help ensure those entrusted with its care fulfil their responsibilities.

Join us and help protect the New Forest through strong, independent scrutiny.