Residents Invited to Help Shape the Future of the New Forest
New Forest District Council seeks community input for its Local Plan consultation
New Forest, Community, Local Plan, Housing, Sustainability
New Forest: The New Forest District Council (NFDC) is asking for your thoughts. They want to hear from you as part of their Local Plan consultation.
This consultation is in the ‘Issues and Scope’ stage. It’s the first step in creating the next Local Plan.
The plan will guide future development. It aims to create a community where people want to live and feel at home.
NFDC is looking for approval for a six-week consultation starting on February 5. They want input from the community and stakeholders on what the Local Plan should cover.
Key topics include housing needs, health and wellbeing, environmental protection, and sustainable transport. Specific development sites and policy proposals will come later.
By participating, you can help shape a plan that reflects local priorities and challenges. Councillor Derek Tipp emphasized the importance of community involvement.
He said the Local Plan is vital for the district’s future. They want as many people as possible to help create a plan that meets community needs while preserving the New Forest’s unique character.
Some topics may raise concerns, especially with the government focusing on housing numbers. The consultation aims to gather feedback to address these challenges together.
The council will hold ‘drop-in’ sessions at various locations. This gives residents a chance to discuss the Local Plan directly with officers.
They will also use digital tools to reach a wider audience. All consultation details, including drop-in session dates, will be on the NFDC website.