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Revamp for town centre
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| Ringwood town centre. |
RINGWOOD town centre is set
for a radical revamp if an
expansive development gets
the green light from New
Forest District Council.
The applicant, Development
Securities Furlong Ltd, wants
to build a mixed-use
development on the site beside
the Furlong Centre, which
includes White Hart Centre
Place and 11-13 Meeting House
Lane.
The proposed development
will see 13 shops built
alongside three office units
and 12 residential flats with
basement car parking as well
as a conversion of the Old
Town Hall for retail and
residential use.
Two similar redevelopment
schemes, which included plans
for a cinema, have been
submitted in the past but were
withdrawn by the applicants
in September 2003.
An initial brief by planning
officers for benefit of the
parish and town council
consultations stated the
proposal would open up an
area of the town centre which
is currently inaccessible and
unattractive, potentially
providing a more pleasing
environment and adding to the
town centre activities.
But the report warned that
care was needed to ensure the
external appearance of the
buildings is sympathetic to the
character and appearance of
the historic town, which is
part of Ringwood's
conservation area.
The officer concluded the
proposal was acceptable in
principle as it had the
potential to uplift the
character of a neglected part of
the town, adding to the vitality
of the commercial centre.
Jeff Wickens, chairman of
Ringwood Society, said they
welcomed the decision by the
council to rethink the corner
of the car park, hoping this
might provide an opportunity
to get things right.
He said: "We realise there
will always be change but we
do not like much of what has
been on offer. What we do
want is good quality design
and buildings, which reflect
the scale, location and
character of the town.
"This is not an easy task but
it is possible and we look
forward to welcoming those
who have a genuine interest in
the town and can meet the
challenge."
A recommendation on the
proposal will be made in the
next few weeks.
7:23am Monday 12th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: gorf, soton on 10:08am Mon 12 May 08
i bet they are going to look well out of place
i bet they are going to look well out of place
Posted by: i know best, dorset on 9:32pm Mon 12 May 08
shut up gorf Ringwood dont want comments from soton idiots.
shut up gorf Ringwood dont want comments from soton idiots.
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