In a letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, officials confirmed that Commoners are entitled to the rights and protections set out under the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), even before being formally named in legislation.
The move means public bodies must consider and safeguard traditional practices in the New Forest, including grazing rights and land management, when making decisions.
Formal recognition is expected to follow in the next five-year FCNM review cycle, and campaigners have welcomed the protections that will come.
Chair of the Commoners Defence Association, Andy Parry-Norton (Image: CDA)
Chair of the Commoners Defence Association, Andy Parry-Norton, said: “It’s acknowledgment from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government saying that the Commoners have that protection.
“The government are going to afford the protection that the Forest requires which is really fantastic news for us.
“I’m hoping that this will benefit us after the recent local government reorganisation.
“The New Forest has been split in two and that will allow us to have representation on both the new Southampton council and the new Test Valley council.
“I’m in the process of finding out what that representation will look like. The Waterside being in Southampton has split the Forest so it’s really important we have voices in order to protect the Forest with regards to things like housing and how land on the forest is managed.”
As previously reported, the New Forest will be split as part of local government reorganisation.
Most of the district will be part of the new mid-Hampshire unitary, with most of Test Valley, Winchester and East Hampshire.
The Waterside area will join the new Southampton-based south west Hampshire unitary, also including Eastleigh and parts of Test Valley including Nursling and Rownhams.
Andy explained that recognition by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government means New Forest Commoners are now officially acknowledged as a distinct cultural group with a unique way of life.
It doesn’t create new laws, but it gives their traditions in the New Forest greater protection and a stronger voice in decisions affecting them.