Local Plan for New Forest to be formally reviewed
The District Council says a document adopted in 2020 needs looking at
The Local Plan for the New Forest - setting out development and protection areas for the district - is to be formally reviewed by the District Council.
The authority adopted the current document in 2020, and it's meant to last 15 years, but the Cabinet's agreed to look at it again.
They've said there have been 'several significant changes' in the last few years which need addressing.
That includes lower than expected housing delivery, the Council's climate change and nature emergency declaration in 2021 and how the Solent Freeport plans could affect the District.
Over the coming months, the Council say they'll engage with communities and infrastructure providers across the New Forest to identify the issues that the Local Plan Review should look at.
Councillor Derek Tipp, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy said:
“Now is an ideal time for us to be moving forward with reviewing our Local Plan to support a prosperous and thriving place for our residents and businesses. We will be engaging with people who live and work in the area, as well as our partners in the community, to help inform our review. I urge residents to get involved and have their say to help shape our plans.”
The idea of formally reviewing the plan needs approval from the Full Council later this month (26th February).
A new draft version of the Local Plan is expected to be formally consulted upon next year.