NEW Forest District Council is consulting on a draft planning guidance document for Ringwood, which is aimed at ensuring new development is well designed and respects local character.

Councillor Paul Vickers, New Forest District Council’s portfolio holder for planning and transportation, said: “In preparing the Ringwood Local Distinctiveness document the council has already involved the local community, but wider public consultation at this stage now gives local people a further opportunity to help influence guidance on the future design of new developments in the town.”

The council hopes the design guidance in the ‘Ringwood Local Distinctiveness Supplementary Planning Document’ will help those considering development to design schemes in a way that contributes positively to the character of Ringwood.

The period of public consultation runs until February 18 and the document can be viewed at newforest.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5136 and at New Forest District Council offices in Ringwood, Lymington and Lyndhurst.