Four homes and access at Land rear of Willow Cottage, Hightown Road, Hightown

What was proposed

The application proposed two rear three-bedroom dwellings, access and parking, alongside completing an approved pair of semi-detached homes.

“Planning Committee 08 July 2026 Application Number:26/10073Full Planning Permission Site: LAND REAR OF, WILLOW COTTAGE, HIGHTOWN ROAD, HIGHTOWN, RINGWOOD BH24 3DY (SUBJECT TO LEGAL AGREEMENT) Development: Erection of Two 3-Bedroom Dwellings access and parking; completion of approved pair of semi-detached dwellings, including approved access.”

“The majority of the site is bound by close-boarded fencing, some of which is relatively new, although there is vegetation along the boundary to the south, adjacent to properties in Lakeside. 3PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The proposal entails the replacement of the existing dwelling with a pair of semi-detached houses, the creation of an access between the proposed frontage dwellings and Arima to the west, leading to a new dwelling (Unit 2), partially on the siting of existing…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal would provide four homes while avoiding unacceptable harm to amenity, flooding, highways, ecology and local character.

“For decision-taking this means: Where there are no relevant development plan policies, or the policies which are most important for determining the application are out-of-date, granting permission unless: 'any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole, having particular regard to key policies for directing development to sustainable locations, making effective…”

“Moving to the consideration of the benefits; the scheme would provide 4 family homes within the built up area at a time when the Council's five year housing land supply is very low and in doing so, Officers have concluded that the proposal would not give rise to harmful impacts on the following matters: ·residential amenity ·any increase in the risk of flooding ·highway safety and ·the character and appearance of the area.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Environment Agency, Highway Authority and ecology consultees raised no objections, while Natural England requested further European-site information and Wessex Water offered advice.

“Ringwood Neighbourhood Plan Policy R7: The Ringwood Design Code Policy R10: Zero Carbon Buildings National Planning Policy Framework NPPF Ch. 5 - Delivering a sufficient supply of homes NPPF Ch.11 - Making effective use of land NPPF Ch.12 - Achieving well-designed places National Planning Policy Guidance Plan Policy Designations Neighourhood Plan - Ringwood Built-up Area 6PARISH / TOWN COUNCIL COMMENTS Ringwood Town Council R(4) Recommend refusal.”

“7COUNCILLOR COMMENTS No comments received 8CONSULTEE COMMENTS Comments have been received from the following consultees: Environmental Health Contaminated Land No concerns Natural England Request further information relating to European sites/Habitat Mitigation Wessex Water Offer advice Environment Agency No objection Highway Authority No material impact on highway safety Ecology No objection…”

Officer report

Concerns raised locally

Four representations objected over development-plan conflict, dimensions, flooding, drainage, overlooking, overshadowing, traffic, wildlife, tranquillity and the site layout.

“9REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED The following is a summary of the representations received. ·not in accordance with the development plan; ·no dimensions marked so it is difficult to assess distances; ·flooding concerns as drainage system is already under pressure; ·overlooking, overshadowing and loss of daylight; ·increased building mass, reduced separation and proximity to existing homes not properly assessed; ·additional traffic would accelerate the deterioration of the road;…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke for the application, and a councillor spoke on behalf of Ringwood Town Council.

The committee’s decision

The committee delegated authority to grant permission subject to a Section 106 agreement securing air-quality monitoring and habitat mitigation, plus the report’s conditions.

“That Delegated Authority be given to the Service Manager Development Management to GRANT PERMISSION subject to:”

Minutes