Latest news
April 2025
The County Council is excited to announce that it has been selected to be on the Pathways to Planning programme for 2024/25. Pathways to Planning is a government led graduate scheme, which helps to equip talented individuals to fast track their career as a planner in local government. More information on the programme. The role currently available with our team is available to view here: Hampshire County Council - Planning Cohort 3 - Local Government Association. A FAQ document has been prepared and will be updated if and when new questions are asked of us.
Participation in the Pathways to Planning scheme is part of the County Council’s commitment to help the development of new planners and sits alongside our planning scholarship scheme as well as our work with universities.
March / April 2025
The Public Inquiry against the councils refusal of planning permission at Hamble Airfield is due to commence on 1 April 2025. All information associated with the appeal (including the Inquiry programme) can be found on the 'appeal' tab of the above hyperlink.
The weblinks for the livestream of the sessions on days 1-4 can be found below:
1 April 2025 (Openings and Interested parties)- https://youtube.com/live/bQsB9B8DOa4?feature=share
2 April 2025 (Hydrology and ecology)- https://youtube.com/live/EL_ZtELsz58?feature=share
3 April 2025 (Ecology and highways)- https://youtube.com/live/NPJKBpXBQp0?feature=share
4 April 2025 (Planning conditions and obligations)- https://youtube.com/live/Z-NC1nWIUL4?feature=share
Following the end of week 1, the Public Inquiry will recommence on 24 June 2025. Livestream links for these sessions will be uploaded to this webpage nearer the time.
October 2024
A new Community Toolkit for flooding has been launched. The Toolkit is intended to provide additional information and resources for communities to help in planning, preparing and managing the risk of flooding.
June 2024: Launch of new Planning Scholarship Programme
If you are undertaking a BSc or BA Geography, Environmental Science, Environmental Management or Geology degree, we have a fantastic opportunity for you to gain relevant work experience and get paid at the same time. See more information on our new Planning Scholarship Programme for summer and year out placements.
December 2023
Legislative amendments to increase planning application fees in England have now been formally “made” and will take effect on 6 December 2023. See further information.
November 2023
The County Council has adopted a new Statement of Community Involvement for minerals and waste policy making and development management. See further information.
September 2023: Delay in the implementation of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain
The Government has announced that mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain will not be implemented in November 2023 as expected. See further information on the announcement.
August 2023: Hampshire's new Great Crested Newt licencing is now live and operational in Hampshire
All applicants preparing planning applications for submission to Hampshire County Council should be aware that there is a new Great Crested Newt licencing process managed by NatureSpace. Nine of Hampshire's local authorities are covered by this new scheme include Eastleigh Borough Council, Hart District Council, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, New Forest National Park Authority, Southampton City Council, South Downs National Park Authority and Winchester City Council. Further information.
LinkedIn post relating to the Hampshire District licence going live to help it reach more ecologists/ consultants in Hampshire to spread awareness. Read the NatureSpace Partnership's post.
June 2023 - Update to the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Regulation 18 consultation summary report published
The Regulation 18 - Consultation Summary Report has now been published.
June 2023 - Launch of new consultation on proposed changes to the Statement of Community Involvement
For more information, see the consultation webpage.
February 2023 - Changes to the way we publicise planning applications and plan making consultations
The County Council has made some changes to how we publicise consultations and this impacts how we will publicise planning applications and plan making consultations. This means a greater use of local area newspapers. An update to the adopted Hampshire Statement of Community Involvement is currently being prepared to reflect this and other changes.
November 2022 - Regulation 18 consultation: Update to the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan
Hampshire County Council and its partner Authorities, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council, New Forest National Park Authority and South Downs National Park Authority (collectively known as the Hampshire Authorities), are working to produce a partial update to the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan (the Plan) which will guide minerals and waste decision making in the Plan Area up until 2040. For more information see the update to the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan.
Oil and gas in Hampshire
We have updated our Oil and Gas webpages and FAQ to take into account the latest information, policies and guidance.
Enforcement and Monitoring Plan
An update has been made to the Hampshire Enforcement and Site Monitoring Plan. The update can be viewed on our Monitoring and enforcement page.