A long outstanding planning application by Crest Nicholson for permission to build over 400 homes on land adjacent to Moortown Lane in Ringwood has suffered another delay.

New Forest District Council’s (NFDC) Planning Committee had been due to consider the proposal back in July but following the formal adoption of the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan the application was deferred.

It came before NFDC’s Planning Committee on 11th September with a recommendation from officers that permission be granted. However, having considered further objections from the Town Council and presentations from Town Councillor Mary DeBoos, Town and District Councillor John Haywood and District Councillor Jeremy Heron, the Committee decided to defer the application and instructed both its officers and the applicant to engage with the Town Council to address its concerns.

Cllr Philip Day, Chair of the Town Council’s Planning Committee commented:

“The Town Council recognises the need for more housing and the inevitability that the Moortown Lane site will eventually be developed.  However, the current proposal falls far short of our expectations in so many ways, including the lack of affordable housing for young people trying to get onto the housing ladder, access to the site being limited to Moortown Lane, compliance with “zero carbon” policies and the adverse impact on the New Forest National Park. 

We welcome the opportunity to engage with Crest Nicholson and NFDC Planning Officers to explore how the development of this site can be to the benefit of the Town and in particular, its young people and families.”