A planning application for a development of over 400 houses on land off Moortown Lane, Ringwood was due to be considered by New Forest District Council’s Planning Committee on 10 July but was removed from the agenda at the 11th hour because there had been “two substantive events which were, in-combination, considered to be material to the determination of the application”. 

The first event was the election of the Labour government on 4 July 2024, with speeches already given indicating a clear intended ‘direction of travel’ on national planning policies relating to housing delivery.

The second was the adoption of the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan at the meeting of the Council on 8 July 2024, making the Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for the determination of planning applications.

Cllr Philip Day, Chair of the Town Council’s Planning, Town and Environment Committee said “As a Town Council, we accept the principle of building new houses on this site but were concerned that the proposals ran counter to a number of the principles that Ringwood residents overwhelmingly approved when they voted in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan.  We trust that the developers will now reconsider their proposals and return with an amended scheme that provides a greater number of affordable homes for local residents, including in particular first-time buyers, a better overall layout, more green space and better quality and “greener” dwellings.  We have other concerns about access to the site which we hope will also now be addressed.”

Chris Treleaven, a member of the Neighbourhood Plan team, said “I am passionate about the need for more smaller and affordable homes and am delighted to see the policies that we put forward being taken seriously in regard to the strategic sites in the parish.”

Town Mayor, Rae Frederick, said “It's great to see the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan already making an impact on planning applications so shortly after its adoption. The policies within the Plan aim to preserve the town’s character, prioritise smaller, affordable homes and promote energy efficiency.  Let's hope this leads to positive changes for Ringwood.”

Relevant documents:

NFDC agenda and draft minutes for Planning Committee held on 10 July 2024: Agenda for Planning Committee on Wednesday, 10th July, 2024, 9.00 am Council Services (newforest.gov.uk)

Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan: Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan - New Forest District Council