Hampshire, New Forest, Political | Posted on September 29th, 2025 | return to news

New Forest District Council backs proposal for new unitary authority

New Forest District Council has agreed its final proposal for Local Government Reorganisation, which it will now submit to the government.

The New Forest District Council has shown support for a new Mid Hampshire unitary authority amid Local Government Reorganisation tensions.

After a special cabinet meeting on Friday 26 September, members of the Cabinet approved a decision to submit option 1 as its proposal for Local Government Reorganisation. This follows after the Full Council’s unanimous, cross-party endorsement for the proposal at the meeting on 25 September.

Option 1 proposes four new unitary councils (single local authorities responsible for providing government services in the area) on the mainland, plus the Isle of Wight and a new Mid Hampshire unitary authority which would include: New Forest Council, Winchester, Test Valley and East Hampshire.

This option was seen as the only one that keeps the New Forest whole within a new Mid Hampshire unitary authority.

Cllr Jill Cleary, leader of the council, said: “Option 1 is the only option that truly reflects how people live and identify with their place. It is the only option that protects our rural character, our local voice, and our ability to lead for our communities.”

She added: “It’s also the option that best supports public service reform. It enables place-based working, neighbourhood empowerment, and local decision-making. It’s the option that allows us to design services around our communities, not force our communities to fit around services.”

A vote was conducted this morning in which councillors recognised the responses from local residents, businesses, organisations and stakeholders, who had expressed their thoughts.

Cllr Cleary added: “It was recognised that we have worked collectively, across parties, to understand and take forward what we all feel is the very best for our Forest residents.

“To have unanimous support for this council’s position and to be able to say with one voice what we want to see for the Forest’s future in Local Government Reorganisation is a strong statement.”

New Forest District Council, alongside other Hampshire councils, will now send a joint proposal to the government titled ‘Close enough to stay local, big enough to stay strong’. Cllr Cleary will also write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to express the council’s strong desire to keep The New Forest whole.

The government is expected to consult on the proposal later this year, with a final decision on Local Government Reorganisation in Hampshire and the Solent expected in Spring 2026.

The joint proposal is available to view at: newforest.gov.uk/lgrproposal.