New Forest National Park Authority raises questions on government plans for new strategic mayoral authority

THERE are calls by the national park authority for more information on government plans for a new strategic mayoral authority under devolution.

As reported in the A&T, Hampshire and the Solent region will be part of the fast-track initiative, which includes establishing the new authority for Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. Elections are likely to be held in May 2026.

Those councils, and 11 others including New Forest District Council, teamed up to prepare an interim plan for Hampshire and the Solent Local Government Reorganisation. Locally, NFDC has said it does not want the area to be split, and is pushing for the creation of a new rural unitary council with mid-Hampshire.

The New Forest National Park Authority met on Thursday to discuss key points for its response to the government’s strategic mayoral authority consultation, with a report stating the importance of the “voice of the national park being heard”.

NPA policy and conservation manager, David Illsley, told the meeting: “It is very clear the government are strongly minded to establish a combined mayoral authority for Hampshire. I think there are benefits around addressing wider issues, whether that is transport, nature recovery, or the scale and location of new development. Our response looks at what it means for the New Forest national park.”

The proposals for the new combined authority should “protect the integrity and resilience of the landscape, ecology and communities of the New Forest”, the report added. It also wants answers on planning responsibilities, with new combined authorities taking control of spatial development strategies from national parks.

The report continued: “In addition to our planning responsibilities, there are other elements of the proposed remit that justify a clearer role for national park authorities. For example, the combined authority would have a strategic role on net zero and would play a leadership role in local nature recovery strategies.

“This is a priority area where national park authorities are key – as acknowledged in Hampshire County Council’s own consultation response. Hampshire’s two national park authorities will be important stakeholders and delivery partners on the world class environment, health and wellbeing for the new combined county authority.”

The park will call for investment in health and wellbeing, active travel and natural capital as part of the vision for the future new authority, is says, adding: “With over a third of Hampshire falling within nationally designated landscapes, our national parks should be seen as an asset for the county.”

NPA member David Harrison questioned whether members would get an opportunity to also comment on local government reorganisation plans once they are put forward, adding: “That is an issue that will affect the national park, over which some of us have very strong views.”

David Illsley agreed, but added: “I don’t think there is enough detail in the public domain as yet as to what local government reorganisation will be; but we are not an official consultee, it can go ahead without us discussing it.” He suggested members could get together to discuss concerns informally before bringing it to an authority meeting at a later date.

NPA CEO Alison Barnes added issues raised in the strategic mayoral authority consultation would be “key points we continue to make” in local government reorganisation.