Ringwood Town Council object to Moortown Lane development

Ringwood Town Council released a draft objection to plans for a “high quality residential-led development” on 34 hectares of land at Moortown Lane – previously identified by New Forest District Council as ideal for redevelopment.

This follows the official objection of more than 100 residents who fear the town’s infrastructure would be unable to cope if plans were approved.

Developers Crest Nicholson have previously made attempts to appease concerns with representations at council and online public forum meetings.

• Read more: Residents raise concerns about plans for Moortown Lane

In February, spokesperson Kate Little said: “The scheme overall will be 50 per cent affordable and of that there will be a mix of rented and affordable ownership.”

However, the town council say Crest Nicholson are “not in a position” to deliver objectives in the town’s Local Plan as they do not own ‘Site 13’ (land off Moortown Lane).

The report states: “[We] were opposed to the removal of Site 13 from the Green Belt and concerned as to the extent of the proposed development and matters relating to infrastructure.

Plans for land at Moortown Lane, Ringwood. Picture: Crest Nicholson/St Congar Group/NFDC

“It should be noted that the current applicant neither owns nor has any control over parts of Site 13 and this is highly relevant in that it means that the applicant is simply not in a position to deliver a number of strategic/policy objectives of the Local Plan.”

The town council listed several Local Plan objectives the application apparently failed to meet.

They said: “The proposal does not include any provision for a primary school. [We] do not consider it appropriate that any land currently used for formal recreational activity should be re-designated as a school.

• Read more: 491-home development plans in Ringwood submitted

“The application also fails to take into account that Ringwood currently does not meet national criteria regarding formal recreational space. The proposal as it stands would reduce the number of football pitches currently available.

“It is noted that the outline scheme provides 50 per cent affordable housing but the detailed planning application does not. This is not acceptable.”

The local authority also raised “significant reservations” about the project’s design.

Plans for land at Moortown Lane, Ringwood. Picture: Crest Nicholson/St Congar Group/NFDC

This was echoed in another official objection, this time from Ringwood Society – a heritage and conservation group. They said: “The proposed houses are generic and opportunities to reflect good examples of local character have been missed.

“The house designs are entirely lacking any architectural quality, appearing to have drawn inspiration from the worst examples locally.

“Much higher emphasis on street design, quality of architecture and sustainability is required.”

Members of Ringwood Town Council's planning committee rubber stamped their response to the application at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday April 13.

If approved, the site would welcome a mix of mainly semi-detached and terraced dwellings with driveway parking, two children’s play areas and green spaces.