Providing planning advice and services within the New Forest area.

From the 4th May 2023.

While the firm has offered professional planning and development services covering the Southeast and Southwest of England for over 15 years, this has until the 4th May necessarily excluded sites within the New Forest, both those within either the District Council or National Park planning areas.

Having served as an elected New Forest District Councillor since 2007, and as member of the National Park Authority between 2009 and 2021, it has not been appropriate for the firm to accept instruction on sites within the New Forest area, or outside where development proposals could reasonably be considered have a significant impact on the area.

In November 2022 I stood down as Leader of the District Council in anticipation that I would not be standing for re-election in the following May local elections. While the new Leader appointed me back to her Cabinet with the responsibility for the Council’s Housing & Homelessness Services portfolio, I purposefully excluded myself from any discussions on emerging local planning policy to ensure that there would be no conflict of interest in the firm providing strategic planning advice on potential development sites within the New Forest after May of this year.

There will still be restrictions on the firm’s ability to represent clients in respect of Minerals & Waste matters within the Hampshire area after May 2023 due to my remaining an elected Hampshire County Councillor.