PART of a major housing scheme in Ringwood could be named after a community stalwart.

Linden Homes is planning to build 175 houses at Crow Lane and has already received permission for the first phase of the multi-million-pound scheme.

Town councillors said it would be fitting to name one of the roads after Neville Chard, who died on May 16, aged 88.

Members questioned whether a road could be named after an individual but Cllr Jeremy Heron cited the example of Roger Penny Way at Brook.

Other names suggested included Alice Lisle, who lived at Moyles Court, Ringwood, and was executed for harbouring fugitives following the defeat of the Monmouth Rebellion in the 17th century.

Mr Chard served on Ringwood Town Council from 1973 to May, 2015. The former postman, who was with the post office for 51 years was the first, and still is the only, person to be awarded the title of Honorary Freeman of Ringwood Town in 2010, in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the people of the town.

Mr Chard joined the former Ringwood and Fordingbridge Rural District Council in about 1970 and, in 1973, became one of the first members of the newly formed New Forest District Council, on which he served until 1987.

In tributes to Mr Chard, who was known as the “father of the council”, former mayor and Ringwood councillor, Michael Thierry, said he was an “extremely faithful, diligent, loyal and respected town councillor” and was a “credit to himself and the town”.

Former three-time mayor Brian Terry, who served on the town council with Mr Chard, said: “He was an excellent person and an ambassador for Ringwood.”

The former councillor was also renowned for his long association with Bisterne United Football Club. He joined the club in 1948 and became secretary to the club in 1957, a role which he continued until recently.

The name suggestions have been recommended to NFDC and Linden Homes