By Chris Yandell

Southern Daily Echo online – 24 May 2025

A Hampshire MP has hit out at moves to split the New Forest area as part of a massive shake-up of local government. Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, has warned that Totton and the Waterside could be "detached" from the rest of the district. Ministers are planning to scrap many of the existing councils and replace them with new unitary authorities serving bigger areas. Southampton City Council and New Forest District Council are among the organisations that are facing the axe.

In a letter to the government, Sir Julian says Southampton and Eastleigh councils intend to propose the creation of a new body that would "reach across" Southampton Water:

"They would do this by detaching all the wards along the coastal edge of the New Forest. I can say with confidence that such a takeover would be anathema to the vast majority of my constituents who live on the Waterside.

"Neighbouring councils state the rationale for this is that these wards are required so they can be financially sustainable and support the Growth Agenda. If this were the case, they would support an option including the whole of the New Forest."

Sir Julian's letter to Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, is also signed by the leaders of all four political groups on NFDC [Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent].

In a statement, the Lyndhurst-based council said it welcomed the MP's call for Forest unique identity to be protected. A spokesperson said:

"Sir Julian's letter highlights concerns about emerging proposals from neighbouring councils to divide the New Forest and remove its coastal communities. Any changes to local government structures must respect the historic, cultural and community integrity of the New Forest and be shaped with local people, not imposed upon them."

The leader of NFDC, Cllr Jill Cleary, added:

"The New Forest is a unique and cohesive area, environmentally, culturally and economically. Any attempt to divide it would not only undermine service delivery and local identity but also add unnecessary complexity, cost, and risk to the reorganisation. We believe the New Forest should remain whole."

Cllr David Harrison represents part of the Totton and Waterside area. He said:

"Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are united in opposition to any plans that may involve splitting up the governance of the New Forest district, effectively forcing Totton and the Waterside to join a new combined authority centred around Southampton. Most local people feel very much that we belong much more to the New Forest than the city."

Southampton City Council has been approached for comment.