Design guidance

Good design plays an important role in protecting the special character of the New Forest. Our planning policies and design guidance help ensure that new development respects the landscape, historic buildings and local distinctiveness of the National Park, while supporting high-quality, sustainable places to live and work.

For more information and to view Village Design Statements, go to our dedicated page.

The New Forest National Park Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was formally adopted on 27 January 2022 and is a key part of our planning guidance for the National Park.

As an SPD, it conforms with, and supplements many of the policies set out in our adopted local planning policies, as well as national policy and guidance on design-related matters. It is a material consideration in determining planning applications and planning appeals, and applies throughout the whole of the National Park.

The Design Guide aims to achieve high standards of design in new development while retaining and enhancing the distinctive character of the natural and built environment.

It supports the pre-application process by providing guidance to help applicants, agents and others to respond to the features and rural characteristics that make the New Forest special when designing their proposals.

The updated National Park Design Guide SPD (January 2022) replaces the previous Design Guide SPFD (2011) in full. Following the formal adoption of the new Design Guide SPD on 27 January 2022 with documents available to download below:

These guidelines are for horse owners and land managers who keep horses at grass or manage land for equestrian use within the New Forest National Park.

Horse riding has a long and proud history in the New Forest. It remains a much-loved activity, playing an important role in the character of the area and making a valuable contribution to the local economy.