The Solent Forum is an independent coastal partnership, established in 1992, which brings together organisations with a shared interest in the future of the Solent and its surrounding coastline.
Its core purpose is to support better planning and management of the Solent by improving communication and collaboration between partners.
This includes raising awareness of environmental, social and economic change, sharing evidence and information, and helping ensure the Solent’s importance is recognised in national and regional policy and decision‑making.
The Forum provides a neutral space for discussion, enabling a wide range of organisations to work together. Members include local authorities, government agencies, harbour and port authorities, universities, environmental organisations, businesses and recreational groups. This broad membership helps ensure a balanced and trusted voice on key coastal and marine issues.
The Solent Forum operates at a strategic, ‘seascape’ scale, covering the Solent itself, the Hampshire coastline, Chichester Harbour and the north coast of the Isle of Wight. Its work recognises that what happens inland—such as land use and water management—has a direct impact on the marine environment, and it promotes a ‘source to sea’ approach to planning and environmental management.
Through its convening role, the Forum brings partners together to respond to shared challenges such as water quality, climate change adaptation, recreational pressures and the protection of internationally important marine sites. Rather than delivering services directly, it focuses on coordination, partnership‑working and facilitating shared solutions across organisational boundaries.
The Forum meets twice a year to share updates, hear from partner organisations and discuss key issues affecting the Solent. It also supports the management of protected marine sites through the Solent Marine Sites Management Scheme, helping statutory authorities coordinate their responsibilities.
Partnership for South Hampshire affiliation
From April 2026, the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) became the overarching hosting body for the Solent Forum, with Southampton City Council acting as the accountable body and providing operational support.
This arrangement followed a decision to transfer hosting responsibilities to ensure the Forum could continue its work in a sustainable and collaborative way. PfSH now provides an umbrella for the Forum, supporting key functions such as governance, finance and administration, while maintaining the Forum’s independence in its own decision‑making and activities.
This partnership helps strengthen links between coastal and marine planning and the wider strategic priorities of South Hampshire, ensuring joined‑up working across local authorities and partners on issues that affect both land and sea.
You can find out more about the Solent Forum on its website Solent Forum – Home page