New Forest District Council (NFDC) has announced a strategic shift in its approach to plan-making, confirming its intention to transition away from its current Local Plan programme under the legacy 2012 regulations and progress under the Government’s new plan-making system.
The decision to abandon the current timetable stems from several interrelated challenges. The emergence of the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority, alongside broader local government reorganisation, has shifted the focus toward strategic, cross-boundary planning.
Progressing a district-specific plan for a legacy geography under the current system is deemed to carry unacceptable risks, including the potential for aborted expenditure, duplicated effort, and rapid obsolescence once new governance structures take effect.
Furthermore, the Government’s deadline of 31 December 2026 for submitting plans under the legacy regulations was considered unachievable by NFDC officers, given the remaining work required to prepare a sound Regulation 19 plan.
The substantial evidence base already prepared by NFDC—including transport modelling and strategic flood risk assessments is expected to remain valuable and will inform future plan-making across wider geographies, supporting early and constructive engagement with successor unitary authorities.
The shift to the new plan-making system presents both challenges and opportunities for the development sector. The delay in adopting new district-wide policies may create short-term uncertainty, but it also opens avenues for strategic engagement.
Navigating this transitional period requires a proactive and informed approach. At Chapman Lily Planning, our team of expert planning consultants is closely monitoring the rollout of the new plan-making system and the specific implications for the New Forest and wider Hampshire area.
Contact Chapman Lily Planning today to discuss how we can support your development objectives in this changing landscape.
