Planning Permission in New Forest
Non-Metropolitan District in South East · Last updated April 2026
New Forest district covers the area outside the New Forest National Park, stretching along the Solent coast from Lymington to the Waterside towns near Southampton. The district has 23 conservation areas, 9 Article 4 directions, 910 listed buildings, and significant Green Belt designation. Note that the New Forest National Park Authority is a separate planning authority for properties within the park.
The coastal setting, Green Belt, and proximity to the National Park create a complex planning environment. The Solent ecological designations add mitigation requirements for residential development. Historic towns like Lymington and Fordingbridge sit outside the park boundary but have strong heritage protections.
New Forest district approved 90.9% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025, with 888 decisions from 932 applications. Housing delivery at 75% triggers a 20% buffer on land supply.
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What can I build in New Forest?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (23), Article 4 zones (9), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (23), Article 4 zones (9), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (23), Article 4 zones (9), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of New Forest | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings, Green Belt |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of New Forest (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on New Forest's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in New Forest
New Forest district's PD framework is shaped by Green Belt, 23 conservation areas, and 9 Article 4 directions. In the Green Belt, extensions must not be disproportionate. The Article 4 directions restrict specific PD rights in certain areas. Properties near the National Park boundary face landscape sensitivity considerations. The Solent ecological designations require mitigation for new residential development. Outside these constraints, standard PD rights apply.
What New Forest expects from your project
Local Plan: New Forest Local Plan Plus 2016–2036
New Forest District adopted its Local Plan Plus in July 2020. This plan updates and supplements the 2010 Core Strategy, providing detailed policies for residential, employment and retail development. The district excludes the New Forest National Park (a separate planning authority), but is bounded by it and by the Solent and Avon Valley.
Emerging / replacement plan
New Forest is monitoring the Local Plan Plus and will undertake a review at the appropriate stage in the plan period, expected to begin around 2025–2026.
23 conservation areas
New Forest has a high number of conservation areas. Check whether your property falls within one before starting any work — conservation area status significantly restricts what you can do without planning permission.
90.9% approval rate
New Forest approves 90.9% of planning applications, above the national average of 86.9%. Well-designed residential applications in this area tend to have a good chance of success.
Conservation areas in New Forest
23 designated conservation areas
New Forest district's 23 conservation areas cover historic towns and villages outside the National Park. Lymington's Georgian high street and harbour, Fordingbridge's medieval bridge and town centre, and the Waterside settlements along Southampton Water each have distinct characters. The council maintains conservation area appraisals and expects proposals to respect the specific heritage qualities of each area.
Article 4 directions in New Forest
9 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in New Forest
There are 910 listed buildings in New Forest. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with New Forest's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
New Forest received 932 planning applications and decided 888 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 90.9% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
New Forest district approved 90.9% of applications in the year ending September 2025 with a 93.8% delegation rate. Major applications were decided on time in 96.4% of cases, with householder at 96.7%. The council processed 888 decisions from 932 applications, including 544 householder decisions. Housing delivery at 75% triggers a 20% buffer on land supply.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in New Forest
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what New Forest expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on New Forest's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in New Forest
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
New Forest delivered 755 homes against a requirement of 1,000 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 75%. This is below the 85% threshold, which means New Forest must apply a 20% buffer when calculating its five-year housing land supply. This makes it harder for the council to demonstrate it has enough land allocated for housing, and if it cannot, planning policy carries less weight and the balance shifts in favour of granting permission. For homeowners, this can mean a more favourable climate for planning applications that involve new dwellings, such as building in your garden or converting outbuildings.
Lawful Development Certificates in New Forest
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from New Forest that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
New Forest decided 544 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 96.7% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in New Forest
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through New Forest's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
New Forest must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
Check your permitted development rights
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for New Forest.
Pre-application advice in New Forest
New Forest offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is From £75 for householder proposals.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
Check in 2 minutes with our free tool — no sign-up needed.
Check your PD rights now →Pre-application advice for developments within New Forest district (outside the National Park).
Planning fees and timelines in New Forest
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by New Forest and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in New Forest
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in New Forest is provided by New Forest Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
New Forest planning department
Your building project checklist for New Forest
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — New Forest has 23 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — New Forest has 9 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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