Your Neighbourhood,
Your Plan

Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan – Referendum Date – 4th July 2024

Ringwood residents, mark your calendars! On Thursday, July 4, 2024, alongside the General Election, there will be a Referendum for the Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan. This historic event will shape the future of our community, and we encourage every eligible voter to participate.

The Question:

Residents will be asked a straightforward yet impactful question: “Do you want New Forest District Council and New Forest National Park Authority to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Ringwood to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?”

What’s at Stake:

The Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan is more than just a document; it will set the standards for future development in the town. Here are some key points:

1. Affordable Housing: The Plan prioritises smaller, affordable houses, ensuring that Ringwood remains accessible to all residents. By voting “yes,” you’re supporting a community where everyone can find a place to call home.
2. Energy Efficiency: We’re committed to sustainability. The Plan includes energy efficiency standards to reduce our carbon footprint.
3. Preserving Character: Ringwood’s charm lies in its unique character. The Design Code within the Plan ensures that any new development maintains our town’s distinct identity while adhering to high-quality standards.
4. Funding for Local Projects: A “yes” vote means more resources for Ringwood-specific initiatives. If successful, the Town Council’s share of the Community Infrastructure Levy will increase from 15% to 25%, providing additional funds for vital projects.

How Your Vote Matters:

Your voice matters. By participating in the Referendum, you’re shaping the future of Ringwood. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer, your vote counts.

Where to Learn More:

• To view the full Plan, supporting documents, and details on eligibility to vote, go online to https://www.newforest.gov.uk/ringwoodplan
• For those who prefer paper copies, head to Ringwood Gateway or Ringwood Library.
• The document can also be found by clicking on the link here

Let’s make history together! Vote on July 4th and be part of Ringwood’s bright future. 

Two areas that received multiple responses were the plans for a more Thriving Market Place and the future of the Old Town Hall / Regal Cinema. We would like to provide a bit more detail about these:

1. The concept of creating a more pedestrian friendly area in the Market Place is designed to help the businesses in that area. There is no intention to stop traffic and the provision of parking is being evaluated in conjunction with Hampshire County Council.
   A review of the potential design for this in in progress by Hampshire County Council and we would encourage interested members of the public to join the team looking at this. We would then need to seek funding to implement any changes.
   We also note the comments raised about moving the Bus Depot as part of any change and will need to look at the feasibility of such a move.
2. The Old Town Hall / Regal Cinema site is a concern to us all. Several years ago there was an attempt to launch a Community scheme to buy the site. At that time the cost was an estimated £2m purchase cost and a further £10m to develop it into a usable space. Unfortunately the Town Council does not have this amount of funding available. We are pleased to see that plans for the development of the site are now in progress.

If you would like to know more about what a Neighbourhood Plan is and why it is important to Ringwood then please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page