NEWS RELEASE
New Milton Neighbourhood Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan process is led by New Milton Town Council, working with the local community, businesses and land interests to enhance, protect and promote New Milton with a focus on regeneration within the Town Centre. The vision is for a vibrant town centre with many different uses, not just retail – that is a meeting place and social hub for all ages to work, visit and live.
Sharing the exciting vision for New Milton was the key message in the lead up to the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan Referendum that took place on Thursday 6 May 2021. This resulted in a positive yes vote – 87% of the vote – from New Milton residents for its formal adoption. New Milton Neighbourhood Plan – New Forest District Council
Since the Neighbourhood Plan was made, a number of changes have occurred, both locally and nationally, in terms of new approaches to climate change, active travel and building design. These changes needed to be considered, and at the same time undertake a timely review of all the Neighbourhood Plan policies.
An engagement period was launched in March 2025 inviting residents to share their feedback via an online survey at New Milton Neighbourhood Plan – New Milton Neighbourhood Plan.
The Neighbourhood Plan Working Party also hosted drop-in sessions held over a two-day period and were well attended. Residents expressed great interest in the review and representatives were met with a wealth of questions and support for its policies.
Policies that were considered for modification included Diversifying Housing, and Regeneration of New Milton Town Centre, which attracted many interesting and valid comments.
Residents were also very supportive of the Walking and Cycling policy pointing out the need for more options to be made available for safer routes for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Proposed new policies around Biodiversity and Maintaining and Enhancing the Conservation area received positive support suggesting these were crucial additions to the Plan.
The informal engagement is now closed; however, information remains available on the www.newmiltonplan.org.uk website. A formal consultation is being planned for June 2025.
The Council and the Working Party members are delighted with the positive community feedback so far and would like to say thank you to the New Milton Community for their valuable contribution in the Neighbourhood Plan review process.
Further information available from:
Chiara Rabbito
Town Development Manager, New Milton Town Council
Email: info@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01425 619120
Dated: 1 May 2025