Understanding stakeholder consultation in the preparation of the New Forest National Park Management Plan

The New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) was required to deliver, with input, engagement and support from key stakeholders, a Management Plan for the area which would set out the vision, objectives and plans for the newly formed NP. In this paper, we examine and analyse aspects of this stakeholder input, its effectiveness and outcome during the consultation process. In doing so, our work exposes flaws in the preparation and management of the stakeholder consultation process, which resulted in considerable local conflict and unrest, rejection of the Draft Management Plan and a delay in the management plan delivery.