Approval for 400-homes in Ringwood sees councillor quit

Taylor Wimpey’s wish to develop land north of Hightown Road in Ringwood was given the green light by New Forest District Council’s planning committee, with officers saying it would create “a safe, vibrant and healthy new community”.

The dwellings along with three hectares of employment land and recreational green space will be constructed at the site despite hundreds of objections by residents and the town’s council.

At the planning meeting on Wednesday, March 8, members heard major concerns over Ringwood’s infrastructure becoming overwhelmed were the project to be approved.

Aerial view of Ringwood with application site highlighted in red. (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

A submission from Ringwood Junior School stated that its student roll was full and it had no capacity for more pupils.

The site itself was previously earmarked for a residential-led, mixed-use development with at least 270 homes. Ringwood councillor Philip Day spoke at the meeting and said the jump from the minimum requirement to 400 homes was excessive.

“We’re not NIMBY’s however this, as far as we’re concerned, is too much,” he said.

In recommending the project for approval, planning officer Richard Natt listed several conditions including that 50 per cent of the dwellings be ‘affordable’.

However, a spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said he “could never guarantee” the provision of 50 per cent affordability as project costs fluctuate.

Artist impression of proposals for land north of Hightown Road, Ringwood. (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Jane Piper, a planning consultant with Taylor Wimpey, added: “Over 43 per cent of the outline application is green space, this will increase to over 50 per cent when the gardens are added to the residential development zones. This makes the application one of the greenest in the district, if not the greenest.”

A further sticking point came during discussions of a proposed new four-arm roundabout onto the A31 slip road to aid congestion which would not be built until many homes had already become occupied.

Despite the objection, others saw merit in the application. Cllr Allan Glass said: “We do need the houses. With the proper controls this will be a very pleasant site.”

Members ultimately voted six to four in favour of the application.

Former mayor of Ringwood Cllr Tony Ring and former deputy mayor Philip Day. Image: Ringwood Town Council

Following this, member and former Ringwood mayor Cllr Tony Ring announced his resignation from the committee – expressing contempt for the approval.

He said: “I may be accused of an empty gesture but I want it on record that as of this moment I’m resigning from this committee on the basis of our inability to listen to and acknowledge local concerns.

“I see time and time again we steamroll [applications] through. There was an opportunity to ask the developer to come back with a sensible outline – it isn’t there. I am resigning now.”

Work on the site is anticipated to begin in 2025.