03/04/2026
Large changes proposed within the area
Residents of the New Forest district will be served by 2 new unitary councils from April 2028:
We have today (25 March 2026) been advised that the government has made its decision on local government reorganisation (LGR) in Hampshire:
Residents of The Waterside will receive services from a new local authority, alongside Southampton, Eastleigh and part of Test Valley.
People living in the rest of the Forest will receive their services from a separate new mid-Hampshire council also covering East Hampshire, Wi******er and a large part of Test Valley.
• South West: Southampton, Eastleigh and the parishes of Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden, Fawley (New Forest) and Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams, and Valley Park (Test Valley)
• Mid Hampshire: East Hampshire, Wi******er, Test Valley and the New Forest, excluding the Parishes in the New Forest and Test Valley specified above.
There are no immediate changes to council services, or how you contact us. As we work on plans for the new council, more information will be shared, including on our website’s LGR pages.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
(Note: This relates to the current two-tier system of district and county councils. Town and parish councils are not part of local government reorganisation and will continue to operate as usual.)
