THE New Forest National Park Authority has set out how it works with local communities, organisations and other interest groups.

It outlines how people can get involved in the authority’s work, including developing local planning policies, the determination of planning applications and the preparation of other documents and strategies in the National Park.

The National Park Authority has a ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ and this new document updates a 2007 version.

A wide range of methods are already used to involve and update local people and groups in the New Forest, including meetings with all town and parish councils within the National Park, using social media and through eight local information points.

Policy manager David Illsley said: ‘The document encourages people to sign up to our regular email newsletter, which provides free monthly updates. You can also see any consultations currently being run on our website.”

See newforestnpa.gov.uk for details.