RESIDENTS have been urged to attend a public consultation on new plans to build up to 400 homes on fields in Ringwood.

Taylor Wimpey is in the process of formulating an outline planning application for the land north of Hightown Road.

The proposals are set to include three hectares of employment space on the site, which sits just to the south of the A31.

The community has been invited to attend an exhibition event taking place tomorrow from 3pm to 8pm at The Elm Tree’s Tithe Barn venue in Hightown Road.

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties said: “Taylor Wimpey is bringing forward plans for up to 400 new homes and three hectares of employment on land north of Hightown Road, Ringwood.

“The public exhibition will show a number of exhibition boards which will explain the proposed development to visitors. Representatives from Taylor Wimpey will be available to answer any questions and capture feedback.”

The site is allocated in New Forest District Council’s (NFDC) emerging Local Plan, which is currently undergoing examination by planning inspectors.

The minimum capacity for the land listed by NFDC is 270 homes, however, the local authority is under pressure to meet housing need.

Taylor Wimpey gave an initial presentation for its development at a recent Ringwood Town Council meeting.

It said the scheme would include 200 “affordable homes”, with 70 per cent of these for social rent and 30 per cent shared ownership.

It is expected the project would have a build period of five to six years, with new access roads created, while planning policy states the development must include a community focal point.

Councillor Philip Day, chair of Ringwood Town Council’s planning committee, said: “Taylor Wimpey came and gave a presentation at our recent town council meeting.

“We have some difficulties at this stage because we do not have any form of planning application before us. If and when they bring forward an application, we will be able to give it full and proper consideration.

“Going by the number of members of the public at the town council meeting – there was standing room only – it is clear there is a lot of public interest and public concern about the scale of it and affect it will have on the whole town of Ringwood.

“Anybody who has the slightest bit of interest in it should attend the event and fill in the feedback forms to the developers.”