Government announces local government reorganisation (LGR) decision

Published: March 25 2026

The government has today (25 March 2026) announced its decision on the local government reorganisation (LGR) for Hampshire.

Residents of the New Forest district will be served by 2 new unitary councils from April 2028.

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, Winchester 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, Winchester, Test Valley and the New Forest, excluding the Parishes in the New Forest and Test Valley, specified above.

This government decision follows their invitation to councils to submit proposals for future local government structures, and a formal consultation and evaluation exercise. New Forest District Council (NFDC) proposed a new council that would have also covered the areas of East Hampshire, Winchester and Test Valley, alongside the whole of the New Forest district.

Kate Ryan, chief executive of New Forest District Council, said

“I know many residents will be wondering what this means for them and the services they rely on. The most important thing to say today is that nothing is changing right now. There are no immediate changes to our services, our staff are still out doing their jobs, and the ways to contact us stay the same. It’s business as usual while in the background we work to create two successful new councils. There is also nothing residents need to do as a result of today’s announcement. 

“We will now work with the councils involved to plan how services and responsibilities move into the new arrangements in 2028. As that work develops, we will make sure residents understand what it means for their area and keep you updated along the way.

“It will be two years until the new unitary councils are formed, in the meantime, our staff are still out doing their jobs every day, and it is very much business as usual while we work behind the scenes to help create two successful new councils for the future.”

Local government reorganisation (LGR) – New Forest District Council