Residents of New Milton are being encouraged to share their views on proposed updates to the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan that will help shape future development in the area.

Neighbourhood Plans are produced by local communities and set out planning policies that guide decisions on planning applications. New Milton’s first Neighbourhood Plan was formally adopted in July 2021 following consultation, independent examination and strong public support at the local referendum.

Since then, changes to the planning system have prompted New Milton Town Council to initiate an update to the Plan. The review has assessed how well existing policies are working, explores the introduction of new policies, and considers opportunities for development on brownfield land.

The updated draft Plan includes six proposed new policies, covering biodiversity, energy efficiency, conservation, local shops, brownfield sites, and an Area of Special Character. Nine existing policies are proposed to be retained, while a further nine are proposed to be reviewed.

The next stage is an eight-week public consultation on the revised draft New Milton Neighbourhood Plan. As the Town Council area falls within both the New Forest National Park and New Forest District Council boundaries, both Authorities have engaged with the Town Council on the development of the draft Plan.

People can give their feedback between Friday 28 November 2025 and 5pm on Friday 23 January 2026.

Comments on the draft New Milton Neighbourhood Plan can be submitted via NFDC’s webpage here: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/2514/New-Milton-Neighbourhood-Plan. Click on ‘Make a Representation on the draft New Milton Neighbourhood Plan’.

For more information on Neighbourhood Planning within the National Park see https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/planning/neighbourhood-planning/

Paper copies of the draft Plan and supporting documents can be viewed at:

• New Forest District Council Office, Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst
• New Forest National Park Authority Office, Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington

All comments received will be reviewed by an independent Examiner appointed by the two planning authorities and New Milton Town Council. If supported by the Examiner, the final stage in the process of updating the Plan will be a local referendum where New Milton residents will decide whether to adopt the updated Neighbourhood Plan.

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