Protest as district faces being run by two councils

Hundreds of people have staged a protest against local government reorganisation (LGR) plans that would split the New Forest between two different councils.

New Forest residents unhappy with LGR proposals for Hampshire rallied outside council offices on Monday night.

A petition with more than 13,000 signatures has called for the forest's current local authority - New Forest District Council (NFDC) - to take legal advice and pursue a judicial review.

NFDC said it shared the frustration of residents and unanimously passed a motion to consider the petition and update its legal advice.

The plans would see part of the district controlled by a new Mid Hampshire authority, while the other would be taken over by a South West Hampshire council.

New Forest residents believe this will mean large parts of their community, including waterside areas like Hythe and Totton, would be forced into a new, urban‑centred authority dominated by Southampton.

James Hartley-Binns, from Dibden in the New Forest, started the petition.

He said: "In a public consultation where these options were presented to us 97% of the public said they wanted to remain together.

"We're not opposed to LGR, what we're opposed to is the break-up of our community. This is a land grab."

He added that Southampton City Council has been explicit in saying that it needed areas like the waterfront in Hythe for business and housing development.

Hartley-Binns said: "They have stated that they need the business rates from the likes of Esso and ABP development.

"This is, I'm afraid to say, undemocratic, it's illogical and it has not been done with the consent of the people."

His petition called for the council to seek more legal advice and potentially a judicial review, which would give a judge the opportunity to review the lawfulness of the decisions and actions made by central government that led to the proposals.

Among those supporting the petition was Blackfield resident Nicola Phipps.

She said: "When the announcement was made, we had the wind taken out of our sails.

"The waterside is the engine of the New Forest. The consultation was a farce.

"You could say it is too little too late for this, but it has galvanised people in a way few things have."

Southampton City Council said it was "committed to working closely" with residents, existing councils and the national park authority to ensure the reorganisation "respects local heritage and identities".

It said that LGR was "a real opportunity to create modern, resilient councils that are fit for the future".

"It will also bring key assets such as the port, airport and maritime sector under one council, supporting joined-up planning and long-term growth," a spokesperson added.

Councillor Jill Cleary, leader of NFDC, broke down in tears during Monday's council debate, telling the room she shared the "frustration and hatred on this decision".

Several councillors from various parties spoke in support of the petition, with many signing it themselves.

Independent councillor Peter Armstrong said: "It has not been done for us, it has been done to us."

Liberal Democrat councillor Colm McCarthy branded the move "a farce", while councillor Barry Dunning, of Reform UK, said: "The heritage of the New Forest cannot be left behind."

Labour and Co-operative councillor John Haywood said: "I feel that New Forest people want to have their day in court and if that is viable then I support it."

Conservative councillor Cleary tabled a motion for the council to consider the petition along with updated advice from legal counsel and the motion was unanimously passed.

The government has said previously that LGR would make councils simpler and more efficient.

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