Thousands of people have launched a fight-back against the Government's plans to split their ancient woodland community in two as part of a so-called "council land grab".
The reorganisation of the New Forest, announced at the end of March and scheduled to come into effect in 2028, will see the eastern portion of the forest absorbed into "South West Hampshire" alongside Southampton.
The remaining area will fall under a separate body called Mid Hampshire.
Della Keable, whose family has lived in the forest for generations, became emotional while describing her feelings about the move, describing the forest as "part of our souls".
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The forest, renowned for its wild horses and pigs, faces what campaigners describe as an existential threat to its unity.
Teresa Barnes, a lifelong resident, expressed her fury at the proposals, telling The Guardian she was "steaming".
She told the newspaper: "This is a very precious, traditional kind of place.
"We don't want to be lumped in with an urban area. We have to stop it," she added.
The forest, renowned for its wandering ponies and pigs, faces what campaigners describe as an existential threat
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Housing Secretary Steve Reed has characterised the reforms as a "once-in-a-generation chance" to modernise local government.
But shortly after his plans were unveiled, a campaign organisation called New Forest Together was launched with over 20,000 leaflets distributed across the area.
A petition demanding the plans are axed has also hit more than 10,000 signatures.
The group is urging New Forest District Council to seek legal counsel and even consider mounting a judicial review.
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Steve Reed has characterised the reforms as a 'once-in-a-generation chance' to modernise local government structures
| PAJames Hartley-Binns, a campaign coordinator, addressed a gathering on Blackwell Common, strongly pushing back against the plans.
He told the audience that Labour's plans amounted to a "land grab".
Mr Hartley-Binns said: "We have been a community for more than 1,000 years. The forest is part of our DNA - but it's going to be fragmented.
"This is our home, our heritage and it is at risk," he added.
'The forest is part of our DNA but it's going to be fragmented,' Mr Hartley-Binns warned
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The New Forest Commoners Defence Association has been pursuing recognition as a national minority, similar to the status afforded to Cornish people.
The reforms have been heavily backed by Southampton City Council, who insisted the move will bring communities together.
A spokesman said: “We are committed to working closely with local people, existing councils and the national park authority to ensure the new council is set up to succeed and respects local heritage and identities.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government insisted that the changes will not see the New Forest physically absorbed into the city.
A spokesman said: “These changes will make public services better by bringing them under one council, so that local people get the best possible social care, education and bin collections.”
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