Keep the New Forest Together: residents launch petition opposing proposed Local Government Reorganisation “carve-up”

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Illustration of a sunrise over trees, a horse, and birds, with "New Forest Together" above water, sailboats, and a pier. Reflects nature and community amid Local Government Reorganisation in the New Forest.
Illustration of a sunrise over trees, a horse, and birds, with "New Forest Together" above water, sailboats, and a pier. Reflects nature and community amid Local Government Reorganisation in the New Forest.

A community campaign, New Forest Together, is urging New Forest District Council (NFDC) to take urgent steps in response to the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals, which the group says would split the New Forest and place large parts of the area into a new, urban‑centred authority dominated by Southampton.

The campaign has launched a public petition calling for the New Forest to remain whole, arguing that the proposals risk undermining local identity, community cohesion and decision‑making that reflects the distinct character of the Forest.

As set out in the petition, the group points to the outcome of the public consultation, stating that 97% of residents who responded opposed the break‑up, and claims the proposals contradict the Government’s own reorganisation criteria, including that existing district and borough councils should form the “building blocks” of new authorities and that local community cohesion should be paramount.

As of today, the petition has reached 11,881 verified signatures on Change.org, with 595 people signing today. The petition was created on 28 March 2026.

Two-step call to action for New Forest District Council
New Forest Together is calling on NFDC to take two immediate steps:

Seek a formal Counsel Opinion
The group is urging NFDC to instruct a specialist public-law barrister to review the reorganisation process, criteria and consultation evidence to assess whether there are grounds for legal challenge.

The petition argues this should be done in collaboration with Test Valley Borough Council, which it says is also at risk of losing areas to Southampton under the proposals.

Pursue a Judicial Review if advised
If legal advice indicates there are grounds, the campaign is calling on NFDC to act swiftly and seek a Judicial Review, noting that the window to act could be limited as the proposals progress.

In a statement, New Forest Together said the New Forest is “more than a place on a map” and called on decision-makers to keep the area intact, adding that local government reorganisation “does not mean our communities must be torn apart”.

Keep the New Forest Together web page can be viewed by visiting:
https://www.newforesttogether.co.uk

Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577551664310