NFNPA Local Plan Review – “Regulation 19 Consultation” – Parish Council Response
Since August 17th 2026 , the NFNPA have been inviting comments on the above consultation in relation to the review/creation of a new Local Plan.
This is the last consultation before the document – as written – is submitted to a Planning Inspector before the end of this year. The current timeline expects that the “NFNPA Local Plan 2024-2043” will be adopted – following Independent Inspection – in December 2027.
As part of the above consultation, the NFNPA arranged a number of “Drop In Sessions” at various locations within the National Park along with an online session. It is very much hoped that those residents (and others) will have shared their thoughts with the NFNPA. The Regulation 19 consultation closes at 5pm on September 30th 2026. The weblink to the consultation is:- https://nfnpalocalplan.commonplace.is/
At the Parish Council meeting on September 8th 2026, members of the Parish Council discussed and agreed the methodology for considering; agreeing; and then submitting responses to all 66 of the planning policies contained within the “Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan”. A copy of the agreed response can be found on the Planning page of the Council’s website, via this link:- https://www.copythorne-pc.gov.uk/planning/
Copies of the Parish Council’s response to the previous consultations on the Local Plan Review can also be found on the Planning page of our website together with a copy of a Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) document produced by the NFNPA.
Annual Accounts 2025 – 2026
The Annual Accounts for the Parish Council for the year to March 31 2026, together with the Notice of conclusion of audit; Notice of Public Rights & Publication of audited Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) are now all available to be viewed in the Financial Information section of the website.
New Inn Road Affordable Housing Development
Amiri Homes, who are building the 10 Affordable Homes for Rent at the above site on behalf of English Rural Housing Association, will be providing regular updates on the progress of the project. To view these please click on the following link:-
Local (Development) Plan Reviews (as at August 2026)
NFDC – At its meeting on August 5th 2026, the NFDC Cabinet agreed a revised approach to preparing the district’s Local Plan. Cabinet members approved recommendations to move away from the current Local Plan programme, which was being prepared under the existing plan-making system, and instead focus on preparing a Local Plan under the government’s new planning framework (Note:- NFDC is responsible for planning matters outside of the National Park).
NFNPA – Local residents, landowners, stakeholders and businesses are currently being invited to take part in a public consultation on the revised draft of the NFNPA Local Plan. The Local Plan sets out the draft local planning policies that will guide future development across the National Park, helping to protect its internationally important landscape, wildlife and heritage while supporting the needs of local communities and businesses.
The six-week consultation, running from August 17th to September 30th, is the final opportunity for people to comment on the draft Local Plan before it’s submitted to the Government for independent examination. A series of free public drop-in events will be held across the National Park during the consultation period. Planning officers will be on hand to explain the draft Plan, answer questions and talk through the changes made since the previous consultation in late 2025. The events near us are as follows:-
- Friday September 4th – Bartley Village Hall, Bourne Road, Woodlands
- Monday September 7th – Royal British Legion Hall, Southampton Road, Cadnam
- Friday September 11th – Lyndhurst Community Centre, Main Car Park, Lyndhurst
Each event will run from 2.00pm to 7.00pm. Between 2.00pm and 5.00pm, visitors can browse information displays and speak informally with officers. From 5.30pm, there’ll be a short presentation followed by a managed Q&A session.
More information on the reviews can be found via the following links:-
- New Forest National Park Authority – https://nfnpalocalplan.commonplace.is/
- New Forest District Council – https://www.newforest.gov.uk/localplan
- A number of consultations on elements of both of the proposed new Local Plans have taken place and the Parish Council’s responses to those consultations can be found on the Planning Page of this website. https://www.copythorne-pc.gov.uk/planning/
Below is a summary of the next steps for the NFNPA reviews:-
| NFNPA DATES | ACTIVITY | COMMENTS |
| July 2026 to December 2026 | Pre-Submission publication | The draft Local Plan is updated following the consultation – with the opportunity for further comment. |
| December 2026 | Submission | The draft Local Plan is submitted to a Government Inspector. |
| January 2027 to June 2027 | Independent Examination | The Government Inspector holds a public inquiry into the Local Plan, and people can present their views. |
| July 2027 | Inspectors Report issued | |
| August 2027 to September 2027 | Public participation – Proposed modifications | NFNPA/NFDC ask for your views on any proposed modifications to the Local Plan following the Inspector’s report. |
| December 2027 | Adoption | The Local Plan is presented to the New NFNPA Board/NFDC to be formally adopted. |
Upcoming meetings:
Full Council Meeting
Held at: Copythorne Parish Hall (small hall)
Full Council Meeting
Held at: Copythorne Parish Hall (small hall)
Full Council Meeting
Held at: Copythorne Parish Hall (small hall)
Meeting Information
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Advisory Committee Meetings
For information (including forthcoming meeting dates) relating to our Finance; Five Year Plan; Flooding; Media & Publicity; and Personal & Governance Advisory Committees
Copythorne Parish Hall is a Charitable Trust (Registered Charity number 301790) operated independently of the Parish Council by a governing committee of trustees.
For more information on the Hall
please visit their website
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New Forest Bike Project CIC
New Forest Bike Project is a social enterprise and registered Community Interest Company (CIC number 10327640) which takes in unwanted bicycles and then repairs, restores and relocates them, supporting local disadvantaged people.
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