New Forest District Council

04/09/2026

You can sign up for a free Forest Guardian pack and help protect the New Forest from litter.

As part of our Look Out For Our Forest ( ) project, free Forest Guardian packs are available for residents, schools, businesses, and community groups. The packs include information about local litter-picking groups, volunteering opportunities, and resources to encourage responsible litter disposal.

Through the project, we're working with communities to raise awareness of the impact litter can have on wildlife, landscapes, and local areas. We're encouraging residents and visitors to leave no trace when enjoying the New Forest and help care for this special place.

Find out more on the Look Out for Our Forest website.

03/09/2026

Following the recent wildfire and closure of the A31, we and our partner organisations want to hear from people affected by the incident.

Whether you're a resident, community group, voluntary organisation, parish council or other local stakeholder, your feedback will help us understand the impact on our communities and any challenges people may still be facing.

The information you provide will help us identify where additional support, information or recovery activity may be needed. It will also help us and our partners learn from the incident and improve how we plan for, respond to and recover from emergencies in the future.

Let us know your views by completing our survey before Sunday 20 September: https://newforest.gov.uk/PreparingYourCommunity

03/09/2026

We’re carrying out our annual household canvass, which means we’re contacting residents until November to make sure the electoral register is up to date. You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections.

We’ve started contacting you by email or letter with instructions on how to respond.

You may receive an email from this address: electoral.services.new.forest.district.council@notifications.service.gov.uk

This is a legitimate contact from us regarding your household canvass. Please check your junk folder for this email, as it may appear there.

If you haven’t received an email, please look out for a letter from us. The envelope for the letter reads: “Do not ignore” on the front and includes contact details for our electoral services team on the back.

Find out more about the household canvass on our website.

The next main elections in the area, in May 2027, will select councillors for the future unitary authorities being created by local government reorganisation (LGR). For more information on this visit www.futurehampshire.gov.uk

28/08/2026

Looking for a new role that makes a difference? We have a number of current vacancies available, including a skills development officer, private sector housing occupational therapist, maintenance inspector, waste and recycling operatives, and more.

For more information and to apply, visit https://newforest.gov.uk/jobs and click "apply for a job" and search all available vacancies.

27/08/2026

Applications for our new shared ownership homes in New Milton (Danes Park, Brockhills) will open at 9.30am on Monday 7 September 2026.

Read more about the properties and how to apply at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/3365/Apply-for-a-shared-ownership-property

26/08/2026

Our ecologists help protect and improve nature across the district. They provide advice on planning applications, support biodiversity projects, and help make sure wildlife and habitats are considered when new developments are proposed.

They also work with other teams across the council to monitor and enhance green spaces for people and nature.

Photo: A bat box on one of our council homes, which provides safe places for bats to roost, raise their young, and sleep during the day.

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who has attended one of the Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy drop-in sessions so far. There are still a number of sessions in September if you would like to join and have your say.

Join us at one of our upcoming drop-in sessions to find out more about the Hurst Spit to Lymington Strategy and how we are exploring sustainable ways to manage our coastline.

You’ll have the opportunity to share your feedback on the draft strategy and ask any questions.

The sessions are taking place on:

• Friday 19 June, 2pm to 7pm – Bridge Centre, 9 Sea Road, Milford on Sea

• Wednesday 1 July, 3pm to 7pm – Masonic Hall, 10 High Street, Lymington

• Thursday 2 July, 10am to 2pm - Masonic Hall, 10 High Street, Lymington

• Wednesday 8 July, 7pm to 8.30pm – Online webinar, register by email

• Saturday 11 July, 10am to 1pm – Lymington Community Centre, New Street

• Friday 24 July, 11am to 4pm - Bridge Centre, 9 Sea Road, Milford on Sea

• Friday 4 September, 11am to 3pm – St Thomas Parish Church, 47-48 St Thomas Street, Lymington

• Wednesday 9 September, 7pm to 8.30pm – Online webinar, register by email

• Saturday 12 September, 10am to 1pm – All Saints Church Hall, Greenbanks Close, Milford on Sea

• Monday 21 September, 11am to 3pm - Bridge Centre, 9 Sea Road, Milford on Sea

You can register for the online webinars by emailing [email protected]

We’ll be attending the sessions together with the Environment Agency and JBA Consulting.

Find out more about the drop-in sessions and strategy on the Hurst Spit 2 Lymington website.

24/08/2026

The next bank holiday is on Monday 31 August 2026. There are no planned changes to recycling and rubbish collections over the bank holiday.

If your collection is due, please have your waste out by 6am. This includes glass recycling and garden waste collections.

Food waste and recycling/rubbish are collected by different vehicles, so crews may arrive at different times, anytime up to 2pm.

To check your collection day, visit the recycling and rubbish page on our website.

Our information offices and customer services will be closed over the weekend and on the bank holiday, but many services are still available online.

Please share this information with family and friends in the district, especially those who may not be online.

22/08/2026

National Highways: The A31 has re-opened in both directions following a vehicle fire on Sunday 9 August, which then spread to nearby heathland.

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/a31-hampshire-westbound-fire-road-now-open-between-m27-j2-and-a338/

A lane 1 closure remains in place on the westbound carriageway for the Fire and Rescue Service. This closure will provide an access and egress point for their new control point. A temporary 50mph speed limit is active on the westbound carriageway.

On the eastbound carriageway, narrower lanes and a 40mph speed limit will remain in place due to the temporary vehicle restraint system currently installed.

Permanent repairs are scheduled to take place in September.

The A31 in Hampshire has re-opened in both directions following a vehicle fire on Sunday 9 August, which then spread to nearby heathland.