To apply for LEADER funding the applicant, or their project or beneficiaries must be in a Local Action Group area.
What area does the New Forest LEADER Programme Cover?
The New Forest Local Action Group area is based around the New Forest National Park and includes the rural areas of New Forest District Council (NFDC) together with a number of adjacent rural parts of Wiltshire Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Burton Parish, part of Christchurch Borough Council.
New Forest District Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Wiltshire Council and Christchurch Borough Council all have areas defined by Defra as ‘urban’ in character. This makes them ineligible for LEADER funding.
However Lymington and Ringwood have been defined by Defra as being eligible ‘rural hub towns’ and are therefore included in the New Forest LEADER area, as are many of the smaller towns and villages.
To ensure you are in the New Forest LEADER area, check the map below.
There may occasionally be instances where potential applicants who are based outside the eligible area may still apply to LEADER; i.e. they live in the ‘urban’ area along the waterside of New Forest District but can demonstrate their work is of benefit to the rural parts of the new forest e.g. a forestry contractor. If you think this applies to you, please contact the LEADER office to discuss this before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Forest LEADER Area
Download New Forest LEADER area map