A new campaign group has been set up to prevent the split of the New Forest in local government plans.
New Forest Together wants to stop Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans that would see the New Forest split into two unitary authorities.
The Waterside area would join a South West Hampshire unitary council with Southampton and Eastleigh, while the rest of the New Forest would form part of a Mid Hampshire unitary authority with Winchester, East Hampshire and Test Valley.
They argue that this would mean some areas are 'forced into an urban-centred authority dominated by Southampton' and are asking New Forest District Council to seek legal advice on the matter and pursue a judicial review.
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The Government believes the changes will reduce duplication by councils, make services easier to access and save money.
James Hartley-Binns, who set up the campaign, said: "The New Forest has had a distinct identity for hundreds of years. It is our home."
"It has hit a nerve. I did not expect it to take off quite so quickly.
"The council have responded in the right way and councillors from all political parties have been very supportive.
"I would say to people in other areas of the country: stand with us, we are the first line of defence."
Mr Hartley-Binns stressed that he was not against LGR in principle, but that the current plans were "breaking up a community".
Their petition, which has almost 16,000 signatures, evoked strong emotions in a recent full council meeting, which voted unanimously to carefully consider the petition and review the best advice for the Forest throughout the process.
During the full council meeting discussion on the petition, Cllr Michael Thierry, said: "This is probably the most important council meeting that any of us have ever attended."
He added: "I have just five words to say to the minister" before thumping his fist on the table and leading chants of "Leave the New Forest alone".
Responding tearfully to the petition, Council Leader Jill Cleary, said: "I share your frustration, your hatred of this decision because you cannot hate it more than I do.
"Thank you, James and Emily, for bringing this out into the public domain more than we can."
She also repeated that the council's original preferred position was to keep the New Forest together and that they are awaiting further advice on the plans.
