A TOWN PLAN—VISION FOR THE FUTURE

We currently have major consultation exercises underway to seek your views on how you believe Ringwood should look in five, ten and twenty years time.  We have already carried out a number of      consultation exercises and are getting as many members of the public involved as we can.  Look out for further leaflets being distributed within the town and in this newspaper shortly.  Also look on our website or telephone to see how you can help.

THE BICKERLEY

We now own all of the Bickerley.  We have increased the standard of  maintenance of the main part of the Bickerley and tried to open up views under the viaduct across the fields beyond.  We have also agreed an  enhancement scheme for the Pocket Park area of the Bickerley to provide a quiet, restful oasis close to the town  centre.  This area will have direct access to the Millstream as we will remove the weeds and overgrown shrubs from the edge of the stream.  In their place, we will provide a disabled friendly footpath with some new planting of trees with nesting boxes, shrubs and wild flowers.  Although the  design works have been completed, the scheme is held up slightly.  This is because we have now persuaded the District Council to bring forward their proposals to review   parking arrangements along the Bickerley.  We have asked the District to introduce ‘no waiting’ restrictions on either side of at least part of the Bickerley with   perhaps exceptions for residents adjoining that road.   We are also in discussion with the County Council about completion of the footpath link from the main part of the Bickerley through to Strides Lane.  The three schemes are interlinked and we would not want to carry out a lot of capital works on the Bickerley in case this could be adversely affected by either the parking restrictions or the installation of a new footpath.  The public are welcome to inspect the plans of our proposals which are available in our offices. 

CARVERS RECREATION GROUND

Carvers is a very well used and well respected recreation area.  There is however, no park in the town where residents can simply rest a while.  The Town Council is looking at ways in which it can improve Carvers in order to make it much more attractive and a place where residents can walk and enjoy the facilities available in that location.  We expect to consult with all residents about improvements to Carvers during 2007.

LONG LANE

The town is massively under-provided with sports facilities.Ideally it would be best to have sports pitches very close to the town centre.  Unfortunately, there is not enough land available for this purpose and that which could be used will attract housing land values.  In order to meet the  shortfall, the Town Council has identified land at Long Lane that would provide an area sufficient to meet the needs of the town for many, many years in the future.  It is large enough to provide sports facilities for young and old alike.  Its provision will not mean the removal of existing sports areas.  We are looking for some new facilities to bring the town up to the standard enjoyed in most other towns.  The Town Council believes it owes that to the young people and older people who still play or just watch sport.

COMMUNITY BUILDING

There has been a lot of discussion, debate and comment about the need to provide a fairly large, good quality community building which can be used as a cinema, theatre and for dinner dances etc.  The Town Council supports that  general principle. 

The District Council commissioned a survey by professional consultants which indicated that if the town is to survive commercially, there is a need for additional retail outlets.  The District Council is      therefore looking at a number of options for the use of land in its ownership in the town centre which could see the provision of a new community building together with toilets and public offices.  These could be funded from the Council Tax, the sale of existing public buildings or by a developer who buys land from the District Council to provide additional retail outlets.  The financial and other advantages and disadvantages have not yet been assessed.  The Town Council has appointed a Councillor to attend the District Council  meetings to represent the town’s views.  Irrespective of any decisions that  the District  Council may make, the Town Council has made it clear that it will wish to carry out its own consultation exercise with you and  provide you with the full facts of all of the options so that you can influence the final decision. Until the full facts are available, the Town Council will not judge one scheme against the other and the Council hopes that everyone will do likewise.