The New Forest area is set to be divided by two new unitary authorities from April 2028 under local government re-organisation.

It is part of a shake-up that will result in five unitary authorities for the Hampshire and Solent area to replace existing councils:

• North Hampshire : Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor
• Mid Hampshire: New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire
• South West Hampshire: Eastleigh and Southampton, plus the parishes of Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden, Fawley, Chilworth, Nursling, Rownhams and Valley Park
• South East Hampshire: Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport and Fareham, plus the parishes of Newlands, Clanfield, Horndean and Rowlands Castle
• Isle of Wight: Isle of Wight

Hampshire County Council will also cease to exist with county services to be managed by the new unitary councils.

There has been opposition from some residents and members of existing local councils, including in the New Forest where people living in the Waterside area of the district will fall into the South East Hampshire authority while rest of the Forest will be included in Mid Hampshire.

Councils across the region say that there will be no immediate changes to the way they operate or any of their services.

However, there will be an inevitable impact on the planning process when – and potentially before – the changes come into effect.

Reorganisation will be complicated and time-consuming with the potential for disruption and delays for planning and decision-making while departments merge and new members are elected followed by a period of settling in.

Some existing authorities may take the view that there is little point in setting long-term goals or making important planning decisions now and prefer to ‘kick the can down the road’ while others may instead expediate certain projects or initiatives for completion before re-organisation.

Local Plans will need to be co-ordinated or even brought together, although there may be benefits for strategic development policies for the wider, unitary area.

The prospect of local government re-organisation also creates greater uncertainty for developers and housebuilders as well as agents, consultants and others in real estate.

There are, of course, potential benefits from a streamlined, more efficient system where there is a strategic focus and well-considered approach to planning and development.

We will keep you updated about developments.