Go-ahead for office blocks development

From the Echo, first published Wednesday 15th Oct 2003.

RINGWOOD is in line for a major economic shot in the arm after planners gave the go-ahead for one of the biggest business developments of recent years.

New Forest District Council has approved proposals for nine two-storey office blocks, along with nearly 70 parking spaces, on overgrown land which has long been vacant off Pullman Way in the town.

The scheme enjoys the full backing of Ringwood councillors, who have been unhappy about the shrinking number of fresh employment site options in the town.

And businesses are understood to be "queuing up" to take advantage of the new office space.

Though long earmarked for industrial/business development, the site has lain defunct for around 20 years and is currently heavily overgrown, even housing a colony of slow worms which will have to be relocated with the help of English Nature.

While there were a few objections about Woodpecker Properties' plan - including one from district Cllr Jeremy Heron over the parking provision - it was approved by the New Forest's development control committee, on condition the developers contributed towards off-site highways improvements.

And Ringwood Town Council, which has seen no progress in the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Wellworthy site nearby, is looking forward to the project coming to fruition.

"This is very good news for the economy and future of Ringwood," said town planning committee member Cllr Brian Terry.

"That site has been crying out for someone to take it up, and we believe there is already quite a queue of people looking for commercial accommodation in the town," he added.

"There are few options for this kind of development in the Ringwood/Fordingbridge area, and what with residential needs and countryside protection, they could become even more scarce.

""We are very much looking forward to seeing this take shape."

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