Submit a planning application

Prior to building a new property or making changes to an existing property, you must apply to us for planning permission.

You can only submit a planning application for properties that are within the New Forest district. Before contacting us, confirm that the property falls within the district by using our online postcode lookup below.

Check postcode

If your property is within the New Forest National Park, you will need to apply to the Park Authority for planning permission.

If your property is within the New Forest district, you can submit an application for planning permission.

How to submit an application

You can either submit a planning application online, or fill out and send a form to us via email or post.

We provide planning guidance for householders, planning guidance for businesses and planning guidance for developers.

Online applications

If you regularly make a payment online you may notice that the payment screen looks different. Do not worry, it should still work as normal, it is just that we are now with a new provider and the screen has been redesigned.

You can apply for planning permission on the Planning Portal website using the link below.

Apply online for planning permission

You will not be able to upload any single document over 10MB. Do not submit compressed file types such as ZIP or RAR.

Alternatively, householders can apply for planning permission using our online form below.

Apply online for householder planning permission

Downloadable application forms

You may prefer to print out an application form and complete it manually. You can download all application forms in PDF format from the Planning Portal website using the link below.

Download planning application forms

Send the application forms and documents to us via email to planning@nfdc.gov.uk.

You can also post or deliver them in person to:

Development Management
New Forest District Council
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
SO43 7PA

Other application types

Application for the modification or discharge of a Section 106 obligation (PDF) [81KB]

Modification of planning conditions relating to construction working hours (Word doc) [47KB]

Extension to a planning permission application form (Word doc) [55KB]

Regulation 75 Application Form relating to general consent orders (Word doc) [57KB]

Regulation 75 Pop Up Campsites (Word doc) [57KB]

What to submit with an application

Your application must be accompanied by:

• the necessary plans of the site
• the required supporting documentation
• the completed form and the fee.

For the required documents and plans, refer to our local checklists for planning applications.

You can buy a suitable planning map, such as a location plan or site plan, from one of the Planning Portal's map suppliers.

If submitting by email or hardcopy, application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded using the links above.

If a hardcopy application is being submitted for a joint application, for example householder and listed building, a double set of plans and drawings will be required.

Where possible, when supporting documents are submitted with an application we request that any signatures are redacted prior to submission to avoid any delays.

Application fee

Most planning applications require a fee to be paid before they can be processed. You can find a full list of fees below.

What are the fees for a planning application?

If using the Planning Portal to submit an application, you must submit the fee when you apply in order for your application to be transferred to us.

To pay via the phone, call 023 8028 5345 and select option one. You must quote the reference number of the application provided by us or the address of the application site.

To pay by cheque, make it out to New Forest District Council and post to the address above.

After submitting an application

Once you have submitted your application with the correct fee and documents, it will be given a unique reference number. We will send you an acknowledgement and the application will go on the public planning application register.  We also publish mandatory planning notices in a and circulate lists of all planning applications received to various bodies including local newspapers.

We will then consult with statutory consultees, and notify neighbours and the relevant town or parish council of your application. You will be able to view any comments received on your planning application via the register.

A decision will be reached on your planning application either by officer-delegated powers or by the Planning Committee. Find out more about how we decide planning applications.

Amending a planning permission

Sometimes issues can arise after a planning permission has been granted where you may need to seek to modify or vary the approved plans or details. Find out more about making amendments to a planning permission.