PLANS for a new development of up to 400 homes have been described as “overdevelopment”.

A virtual extraordinary meeting was held by Ringwood Town Council’s planning, town and environment committee on Tuesday night to discuss an outline planning application for land north of Hightown Road.

The meeting also heard calls for a new school to be built to accommodate large developments in the town.

The plans

Taylor Wimpey wants to build up to 400 new homes, to include 50 per cent affordable housing, and three hectares of employment land on fields north of Hightown Road, near the A31.

The site, strategic site 14, has been allocated for development in the adopted New Forest District Council’s (NFDC) Local Plan for at least 270 homes.

The proposals also include greenspaces and public open space including play areas. A new access from the A31 slipway would be created and there would be a roundabout to the north, which the meeting heard would be signalised crossing points.

Plans for new footways and cycle links are being developed for the site and connections between other proposed housing sites. The meeting heard highway and flooding issues were being looked at.

Overdevelopment concerns and traffic impact

A presentation outlining responses on the NFDC planning portal said the main concerns expressed included the scheme being “overdevelopment” and “out of character”, the adverse effect on the environment, insufficient community infrastructure, road safety/ poor transport options as well as flood/waste water concerns.

Councillor Gareth Deboos said: “It is extremely difficult to see how a proposed development of 400 houses with commercial areas and minimal greenspace squeezed in to this plot is in accord with this definition of “well designed development.”

He said overall it was “overdevelopment”, which was echoed by Councillor Peter Kelleher, who added: “It is way overdevelopment, way over.”

Vice chair Rae Frederick agreed it was overdevelopment and called for more engagement between NFDC and the town council to “get the best for Ringwood”.

Road safety and the increase in the traffic volume was also a concern.

One member of the public said she had “severe concerns” about traffic and that it was already “very difficult” to park in the town centre.

Impact on schools

Concerns were also raised about schools being at or near capacity and the impact the development would have.

Committee chairman Councillor Philip Day said this was a “major issue”.

Earlier in the meeting he asked about schools and provision of doctors and dentists and said residents had raised concerns about the difficulties in getting children into schools and getting medical appointments.

The meeting heard NFDC were aware of the issues around schooling with strategic sites in the town, including the Moortown Lane, and “supporting infrastructure” would be considered.

NFDC’s Chief Planning Officer said this site would not be looked at in isolation and the “cumulative impact” would be considered in relation to future education demand.

Calls for new school site

Cllr Deboos felt Hampshire County Council land at Wellworthy Way would be an “ideal site” to build a new school, which “would solve a lot of problems”.

Cllr Day recommended the county and district councils look at the possibility of building a new school within the Moortown Lane site rather than expansion of the existing one at Poulner, which was supported by councillors.

Time for further consultation

Cllr Day added the meeting was not the “be all and end all” and there would be time for the town council and residents to make comments in the future.

A Taylor Wimpey representative said it was listening to comments and feedback and welcomed it.

The town council's decision

The town council committee agreed to recommend refusal.

The application will come before NFDC at a future date who make the final decisions over applications as the planning authority for the area.

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