DONNING hard hats and sledgehammers building contractors have made the first hole in a listed wall to mark the beginning of a major development in Ringwood.

The Ringwood Arts Centre, based at Greyfriars Community Centre, was attended by contractor Chris Luther as well as country and district councillors and project supporters at a special gathering last week.

The work marked the 'meaningful start' to the £7 million project which means planning permission for the centre - approved by New Forest civic chiefs in February 2014 - will remain for the foreseeable future.

An appeal has seen close to £20,000 raised to fund the building work to ensure that the planning permission did not lapse.

Arts Centre steering group chairman, Mike Osborne, said: “We’re delighted to finally see a physical start to the project – a start that means we now have some breathing space to raise the money for this landmark project for the town.

“It has taken eight years of hard work by our steering group volunteers and around £123,000 to gain permission and meet the many planning, environmental and highways conditions necessary to commence a large project like this, but at last we can say everything is in place,” he said.

"All we need to find now is the money for the rest of the project.”

Director of fundraising Carly Redwood needs to find the remaining funds required for the building, its landscaping and fitting-out.

“There’s a lot of money to find, but irons are in the fire to secure funding from appropriate trusts and foundations, and we’re now gearing up with local fundraising and awareness events in the town,” she said.

The proposed Ringwood Arts Centre has been designed by Ringwood architects Williams Lester and will include a 290-seat cinema and theatre, retractable seating to provide a flat floor for functions, exhibitions and conferences, as well as sports and art studio facilities.