News roundup

  • Two people are examining detailed maps on a table; one person points to a specific area on the central map, which shows bordered regions in various shades of colour.

    Council approves new direction for Local Plan.
    New Forest District Council (NFDC) has approved a revised approach to preparing the district’s new Local Plan, following significant changes in the national planning system and the government’s recent decision to withdraw the local government reorganisation decision for Hampshire.
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  • A sign about the New Forest National Park Draft Local Plan stands in front of a lush forest scene with a stream, grass, and trees in the background. The sign details public consultation dates and contact information.

    Have your say on the draft New Forest National Park Local Plan
    Local residents, landowners, stakeholders and businesses are being invited to take part in a public consultation on the revised draft Local Plan.
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  • A wooden sign in a park displays rules prohibiting barbecues, feeding or touching ponies, and not picking up litter. Trees and grass are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    Government ban on disposable barbecue sales strengthens New Forest wildfire prevention
    New Forest District Council has said government measures announced (Friday 14 August 2026) to restrict the sale of disposable barbecues nationally will add further protection against wildfire risk in the New Forest, Hampshire, complementing existing local measures at a time when the emergency response to a heathland fire, which started on Sunday 9th August 2026 affecting more than 100 hectares, continues into its seventh day, and the risk of fire remains high.
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  • Cows and calves stand on a dirt path in a field, with thick smoke from a wildfire rising in the background under a hazy sky. Shrubs and greenery surround the scene.

    New Forest wildfire incident.
    Firefighters worked through the night and continue to tackle a fire affecting heathland near the A31.
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  • Two people stand in front of a New Forest District Council display with photos and the words “People, Place, Prosperity.” They are smiling, and there are large cubes labelled “Place” beside them.

    Visitors join NFDC to learn more about local government changes at New Forest and Hampshire County Show
    New Forest District Council (NFDC) welcomed visitors to its stand at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, where they were invited to find out more about Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and what it means for the future of council services.
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  • A person with long blonde hair points to a specific area on a detailed, black-and-white map pinned to a blue display board. Other maps are also visible on the board.

    Cabinet to review approach to Local Plan at next meeting.
    New Forest District Council’s (NFDC) Cabinet will next week (5 August 2026) consider switching to the government’s new planning system to produce a stronger, more deliverable Local Plan that reflects national reforms, Local Government Reorganisation, and the work already carried out with communities.
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  • A man stands by a roadside sign reading HELP MAINTAIN THE BEST LITTER SCORE IN THIS AREA. An inset shows a gauge with Current Litter Score: 83% Litter Free. Trees and road are in the background.

    New Forest District Council reintroduce anti-littering campaign on A35
    New Forest District Council (NFDC) has reintroduced an anti-littering campaign on the A35.
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  • A person wearing orange work clothes and protective gloves is moving a black general waste wheelie bin with a closed lid on a paved surface.

    Earlier waste and recycling collections this week due to extreme heat
    New Forest District Council (NFDC) is advising residents that waste and recycling collections will start earlier than usual this week due to high temperatures.
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  • A woman with blonde hair and glasses wearing a dark polka-dot top sits at a desk writing, with a New Forest District Council sign on a teal wall behind her and white flowers on the table.

    NFDC Leader issues update on next phase of local government reorganisation
    New Forest District Council  (NFDC) Leader, Cllr Jill Cleary, has issued a video update to residents outlining the council’s work following the government’s decision on local government reorganisation (LGR).
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  • A person wearing orange work clothes and protective gloves is moving a black general waste wheelie bin with a closed lid on a paved surface.

    Earlier waste and recycling collections this week during extreme heat
    New Forest District Council (NFDC) is advising residents that waste and recycling collections will start earlier than usual this week due to extreme heat.
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