Land north of Hightown Road

The employment uses are positioned along the northern edge to comply with the local plan policy and benefit from direct access on and off the A31 slip road and help mitigate against existing noise from the A31.

More details on the houses to be provided and the materials used will be submitted in our Reserved Matters application should our Outline application be successful. 

The site is likely to include 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes.  Image is of a typical Taylor Wimpey development.

Vehicular Access to the site will be from the A31 slip road where a new roundabout is to be constructed and a new junction will be formed onto Hightown Road to the south. 

The main pedestrian routes and connections are as follows:

• The existing public footpath running across the site is retained and incorporated into the development
• A new pedestrian/cycle route runs east/west from the field access to the ANRG
• A new off-road cycle lane runs along the proposed spine road, connecting the A31 slip road/ Southampton Road with Hightown Road
• An extensive pedestrian route runs around the proposed ANRG area of open space and joins up with the other links, creating an attractive option for dog walkers and general users, as well as connecting up with the links with the surrounding countryside

The proposed drainage strategy would ensure that surface water arising from the developed site would be managed in a sustainable manner to mimic the surface water flows arising from the site prior to the proposed development, while reducing the flood risk to the site itself and elsewhere, taking climate change into account.

Foul Water Drainage for the site has been discussed with Wessex Water and they have confirmed that the foul water sewer laid along the western boundary edge of the site could serve as a suitable point of connection for the development.

The masterplan seeks to retain and strengthen the green corridor on the western section of the site running from east to west across the middle of the site as this appears to be an important ecological corridor within the site. As part of the detailed design consideration will need to be given to minimising any breaks in this feature from roads and associated lighting.

A Built Heritage Assessment has been completed by CgMs and submitted with the application. This includes analysing local history and heritage assets. Overall the historic environment and surrounding listed and notable buildings have been taken into consideration in the design of the development. These notable buildings include Nouale Cottage, The Elm Tre Public House, Oak Cottage and Lynes Farm.

A public exhibition was held on Wednesday 3 July 2019 between 3pm-8pm at The Barn, The Elm Tree, Hightown Road, Ringwood. Approximately 250-300 people attended the public exhibition.

At the event, exhibition boards displayed information about the proposals and members of the project team were available to answer questions. Consultees were able to submit comments to the team using the feedback form at the exhibition or online.

Once the consultation responses had been collated and analysed, the design team reviewed the proposal. The key issues and results from the exhibition are set out in the Statement of Community Engagement. Over the consultation period 153 items of feedback were received. The main comments noted the following:

The existing traffic problems on the local road network and the potential impact from further traffic
The existing flooding issues in the local area and the risk of making it worse
The capacity of the local schools and plans to deliver additional school places

The comments received during the public consultation have helped to shape the final scheme.

Given this site is at the early stages of the planning process, the financial contributions that will be secured by New Forest District Council are yet to be agreed.

The Northern Greenway continues this trial with additions like skate spots and sculptural play features. The Central Greenway includes a Locally Equipped Ares of Play (LEAP) and the larger area of open space to the east (or Park Edge) of the site will include extensive walking paths in close connection to the National Park.

The proposals for the site include 3 hectares of employment land, open space, landscaping, Alternative Natural Recreational Greenspace (ANRG), Flood and drainage attenuation and new accesses off the A31 and Hightown Road with associated infrastructure.