A DEVELOPER has responded to criticism from residents and councillors in Ringwood by amending plans for the final phase of a major development in the town.

Linden Homes are in the process of building new houses on land off Crow Lane and Crow Arch Lane.

Planning permission has been given to the first two phases of the development, which comprise of 175 homes.

An application for the final phase comprising of a care home and business units is still awaiting a decision from New Forest District Council.

Work has been taken place at the site for some time and the first residents moved onto the site last month.

The scheme has come underfire from large sections of the Ringwood community, with younger residents looking to get onto the property ladder feeling they have been priced out of the market.

Following this growing disdain, and strong comments from senior town councillors, Linden Homes has taken the decision to amend plans at this late stage.

This will see a reduction in the number of 4-bed dwellings on the site, replacing them with smaller units. If approved by New Forest District Council this would increased the total number of homes in the development to 199.

The amendments to phase two of the scheme, are expected to be added to the undetermined phase three plans.

A Linden Homes spokesperson said: "We always strive to meet local demand. While our homes at Beaumont Park are selling very well, we’ve listened to what our purchasers and the local community are telling us.

"As a result we will be seeking permission to amend our plans, changing the housing mix and building a larger number of smaller properties. As before, 50 per cent of these new homes will be affordable.

"We see this as a very positive move and will be letting local residents know and issuing a press statement as soon as we submit our application.

"New Forest District Council is, in principle, supportive of what we are looking to achieve."

Linden Homes bore the brunt of residents' frustrations at a Ringwood Town Council meeting in April.

Members of the public at the session claimed the reported 'affordable homes' on the scheme, were not "anywhere near affordable".

Cllr Philip Day said: "We do not want 'affordable houses'. We want cheap houses that people can afford to buy, not just technical definitions. It is completely misleading and by no means can someone afford to do it."