COUNCILLORS have called for stricter parking and traffic plans for a major housing scheme in Ringwood - the biggest single development in the town's history.

Ahead of the 62 homes to be built on land bordered by Crow Lane, Crow Arch Lane, Hightown Hardens and the Hightown Industrial Estate, town councillors are calling on developer Linden Homes to ensure traffic and parking for its construction workers are adequately provided for.

The 62 homes set to be built forms the first phase of the wider multi-million-pound project that could see 170 homes built near to the green belt land, provided the remainder receive planning permission.

Ringwood councillors have submitted a request to the developer to ensure that full details are provided on construction traffic access, lorry routing, the provision of removing mud from vehicles and that a full programme of works is submitted and approved to the planning authority - New Forest District Council.

Town councillors have said they wish to ensure that employees are given an adequate amount of parking on site so that they can have ready access to their tools and are not expected to use public transport which would not be readily available close to the site.

In a report issued to Linden Homes and New Forest District Council, Ringwood councillors said: "The town council submits that Linden Homes should be required to accommodate all contractor parking on site, and that a clear plan should be provided to show that the number of spaces provided will accommodate the maximum number of contractors expected to be on site at any one time."

Councillors also wish to ensure that HGV drivers are not permitted to drive down some of the many narrow lanes of the town.

The statement adds: "There is no mention of this in the Linden Homes proposals, despite it being included in the condition, and being raised by the town council as an issue throughout the planning process.

"Our residents claim, with evident justification, that Hightown Hill and Crow Hill are unsuitably narrow with blind corners, no pavements and with residential properties each side, and are therefore unsafe for lorries to use.

"Similarly, Hightown Road is a narrow road, with a pavement on one side only, which regularly has parked cars along it. This road is used as a route to schools and into town and is totally unsuitable for construction vehicles. All three of these roads should therefore be off-limits to HGVs. The only roads that could be used by HGVs requiring access to the site would therefore have to be Eastfield Lane, Crow Lane and Moortown Lane."

The Daily Echo were unable to reach Lindon Homes for comment at the time of going to press.