Your Hampshire & Isle of Wight county NFU update

Tom Peters

NFU County Adviser (Hampshire and Isle of Wight)

Combines roll early...

We are now into high summer and at the time of writing combines have started to roll. The rain in June provided some relief for those with livestock although this week’s heat and the heatwave recently has quickly evaporated any good grazing!

June was a busy month with lots happening in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Just recently we had the Hampshire health and safety event, kindly hosted by Hall & Burge. This was a fantastic event and with over 100 attendees, having their annual refresher on health and safety, and this year with a particular focus on health. My thanks to those who attended and to those who spoke at the event, everyone freely gave their time to deliver the day. This is firmly now, one of the highlights of the year, and we will run the event again next year. For those who didn’t attend, remember to take 5 to stay alive.

I attended the Hampshire Farmers club farm walk, helping run the bar sponsored by NFU Mutual, Winchester, Alton and Wickham and it was great to see so many members excelling in the classes. Congratulations to Stephen and Chris Horn on being crowned champion this year.

The Isle of Wight farm walk was held on a blisteringly hot day, but we had a nice crowd come along to Anna Smith’s, farm at Compton. The sea breeze at the top of the farm overlooking Compton Bay was a light relief from the heat and I must say, the farm arguably has one of the best views in the country! Thank you, Anna and Neville, for hosting and to National Trust for providing some insights into the nature we saw on the farm.

The proposed Beaver release application on the Isle of Wight, I know continues to cause concern. Please do fill out the beaver survey and make sure your voice is heard. My particular thanks to Ellie Newman our environment and land use advisor for her work on this and to John Heather and Caroline Knox for their assistance.

https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/1872a068-5182-41c4-a134-573a2ed2dde1

I look forward to seeing as many members as possible at the two forthcoming Hampshire shows. New Forest show, 28th-30Th July, on Wednesday 29th at 1:30pm we have Vice President, Robyn Munt speaking to members. New Forest Fruit, strawberries and Hambledon sparkling for those attending!

Saturday 5th September, is the Alresford show and we have Paul Tompkins, NFU Deputy President attending for the annual, “office holder breakfast”. Paul will address members in the show’s members tent at 8am, with breakfast rolls from 7:30am. Paul will be around the show until late-morning.

Finally, this week I attended a parliamentary round table on abattoirs in Westminster hosted by Farnham and Bordon MP, Greg Stafford. East Hampshire, MP, Damian Hinds was also in attendance, along with another Labour MP and shadow farming minister Robbie Moore. This was a great chance to highlight the huge issues facing the small/medium sized abattoir sector, something that is critical for our local food economy.

Dates for the diary:

28th-30th July – New Forest Show, member reception with NFU Vice President, Robyn Munt, she will update members on various policy on Wednesday 29th July at 1330, strawberries and sparkling for those attending.

3rd September – Greg Stafford MP, Farnham and Bordon meeting. Open to members with a particular interest in the lack of abattoir provision in our region. Please contact me if you would like to attend.

5th September – Alresford show. Deputy President, Paul Tompkins will update members at the member breakfast at 8am, breakfast rolls from 730am.

9th September – Back British Farming Day

12th September – Romsey show

19th September – IOW Ploughing Match

24th November – Isle of Wight, county Annual Open meeting, 6pm @ Harvey Browns. Paul Tompkins, Deputy President will address members.

2nd December – Hampshire county Annual Open meeting @ South Winchester golf club, 6pm. Tom Bradshaw, NFU President, will address members.

Surveys and questionnaires

Hampshire Water Transfer & Recycling Project

Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project

We have been informed that Southern Water’s recent application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), submitted on 28 May 2026 in respect of its Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project, has been accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

We, as the NFU has been identified as an individual or organisation that may be interested in the Project. As a result, you are invited to submit your views, concerns or support regarding the Project. Details of how to do this are set out below.

About the Project

As a reminder, the Project would transform how we source, treat and supply water across Hampshire. In the face of increasing environmental restrictions, population growth and climate change, the Project would help maintain essential water supplies for customers while taking less water from the environment, protecting the rare and sensitive chalk streams of the River Test and River Itchen.

The Project would use advanced treatment techniques to turn highly treated wastewater, that is usually pumped out to sea, into purified recycled water at a new water recycling plant in Havant. This purified recycled water would be pumped via an underground pipeline to Havant Thicket Reservoir where it would mix with spring water. Water from the reservoir would then be pumped along another pipeline to our Otterbourne Water Supply Works where it would be treated to strict drinking water standards before being sent into supply.

Next steps and more information

The examination process will be carried out independently by the Planning Inspectorate under the Planning Act 2008. During this stage, the application will be reviewed in detail, alongside evidence and representations submitted by stakeholders, local communities and interested parties. The Planning Inspectorate will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who will make the final decision on whether to grant development consent.

Anyone can register as an Interested Party and submit a representation to the Planning Inspectorate, which will be considered during the examination. The deadline for submitting representations is 11:59pm on 24 August 2026.

You can view the application documents, follow progress and find out how to register and make a representation on the Planning Inspectorate’s project page: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/WA010002

Further information about the Development Consent Order process is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects-and-the-people-and-organisations-involved-in-the-process

You can read more about this important milestone for the Project on the ‘Latest News’ tab on our Project website at: https://www.hampshirewtwrp.co.uk/news.html

If you have any further Project related queries or you would like to request copies of any of the DCO application documents, you can:

Email us at [email protected]
Call our freephone number on 0800 254 5138
Write to us at Freepost HAMPSHIRE WTWRP CONSULTATION (no stamp required)

Start date

16 July 2026 at 8:00am

End date

24 August 2026 at 11:59pm

Hampshire Water Recycling Project

Local news

South Downs National Park - local access forum

The South Downs National Park (SDNP) Authority is currently advertising several opportunities to join the South Downs Local Access Forum.

The Forum is an independent statutory advisory body that provides advice to the National Park Authority, Government and other public bodies on matters relating to public access to the countryside within the South Downs National Park.

SDNP is particularly interested in hearing from people with experience or knowledge of the following areas:

Landowner / land management
Forestry / farming
Equestrian access
Heritage
Blue infrastructure / waterways

Further information, including the role profile and application form, is available here:

Opportunity to join the South Downs Local Access Forum

The deadline for applications is Friday 21 August.

Completed application forms should be returned to [email protected].

More information

Local news

Southern Water - hose pipe ban

Southern Water has announced a temporary use ban (hosepipe ban) in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, in response to critical river levels in the River Test.

For full details, please visit the Southern Water website: Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) - Southern Water

More information

Local news

Tree Planting Opportunity - Free Trees! (Hants)

The Hampshire Forest Partnership is starting to plan for the Winter 2026/27 tree planting season and are inviting Expressions of Interest for tree planting projects we may be able to support by providing FREE trees, hedgerow whips, orchard trees, and disease-resistant elms.

To help the Hampshire Forest partnership plan effectively, we encourage all interested parties to complete the Expression of Interest form, those who register will be among the first to be contacted once funding is secured and tree availability is confirmed. Last winter, the partnership supported a wide range of Hampshire parish councils, community groups, farmers, and landowners.

If you are considering a tree planting project or similar express your interest with the Hampshire Forest Partnership.

Free Trees!

Local news

New briefing to help farmers become beaver ready

We’d like to share a new briefing from The Wildlife Trusts that members may find useful, particularly those farming alongside beavers.

The document focuses on how farmers can prepare for beaver presence, with practical guidance and considerations to support planning and decision making.

If this is relevant, you can access the briefing below

Click Here For Briefing

Local news

Waste Exemptions - Environment Agency

Waste exemptions have changed recently. The Environment Agency (EA) can now ask for these documents on waste exemptions on EA inspections. This came into force on April 1st 2026.

This reform is part of a broader consultation the EA (Environment Agency) conducted on charge proposals, which also addresses fees related to waste crime and updated hourly rates.

The aim is to improve regulatory oversight, ensure environmental protection, and make the system more cost-effective for the EA.

The reforms introduce charges for waste exemptions, impacting a wide range of operators, including farmers. As part of this process, the NFU reviewed the proposals and gathered feedback from members to inform its response.

Charges will be paid at the point of registration or renewal.

Changes to waste exemptions – charges come into force

Local news

Isle of Wight & Hampshire Beaver Updates

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has been developing a proposal for a wild beaver release on the Isle of Wight since 2021. The proposed release area focuses on the Eastern Yar and Wroxall Stream catchments, where conservation organisations collectively manage over 600 hectares of wetlands. The Trust has been engaging with riparian landowners, farmers, and local stakeholders over the last three years through workshops, site visits and a steering group. Following the legalisation of wild beaver releases in March 2025, the project has now been invited by Natural England to submit a full licence application for a proposed 10‑year programme.

In Hampshire, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission established the first Hampshire Beaver Advisory Group in 2024 in response to beavers naturally dispersing along the Hampshire Avon and nearby tributaries. The group brings together key stakeholders and statutory bodies to share information, coordinate local understanding and consider county specific issues, particularly relating to sensitive habitats such as chalk streams and the New Forest. The Advisory Group does not manage beaver releases or provide operational support, however, it acts as an important coordination forum. As beavers continue to expand naturally, the group is expected to support the development of local Beaver Management Groups and help build capacity within catchment partnerships. This work will align with the forthcoming National Beaver Strategy, which is currently being co‑designed by Natural England, the Environment Agency, Defra and national stakeholders.

Find out more