Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update Notice of Main Modifications Public Consultation

Hampshire County Council, New Forest National Park Authority, Portsmouth City Council, South Downs National Park Authority & Southampton City Council (the ‘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 (covering all of their respective areas and the parts of the South Downs which fall within Hampshire) up until 2040.  The emerging Plan is currently undergoing examination and public hearings were held in February and September 2025. Following these, Proposed Main Modifications to the Submission Plan are being published. The Proposed Main Modifications are considered necessary to ensure that the Plan is legally compliant and/or sound. A Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment) (SA/SEA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) have been undertaken on the Proposed Main Modifications. The Authorities are also publishing a schedule of Additional Modifications and Policies Map Changes. All of these are put forward without prejudice to the Inspector’s final conclusions.  Through this consultation the Authorities are inviting representations on the tests of ‘soundness’ and legal compliance of the Proposed Main Modifications and Policies Map Changes only (please see the published FAQs for definitions). Responses must refer to these tests otherwise they may not be considered by the Inspector.  Following consideration of the all the representations, the Inspector will decide whether any further hearings are necessary, or if any issues need to be revisited. At the end of the examination process, the Inspector will present their final conclusions in a binding report. If the Plan is found legally compliant and ‘sound’, it can then be adopted by the Authorities.  The representations period will run for ten weeks, and all representations must be received between 9am 4th December 2025 and 11:59pm 12th February 2026. Late representations may not be accepted as duly made.  The preferred response method is via the on-line consultation response form which can be found at https://www.hants.gov.uk/minerals-waste-update. Responses will also be accepted via email at hmwp.consult@hants.gov.uk or in writing to Minerals and Waste Policy Team, Hampshire 2050, Elizabeth II Court North, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UH.  The Proposed Main Modifications, Policies Map Changes and associated assessments are available for inspection online, as above, or during normal working hours (by appointment) at:  Hampshire County Council - EII Court, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UD  New Forest National Park Authority - Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9ZG  Portsmouth City Council - Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2AL  South Downs National Park Authority - South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 9DH  Southampton City Council - Civic Centre, Southampton SO14 7LY and Central Library, Southampton SO14 7LY