PLANS to transform part of a town’s historic market place with nine new homes has been approved despite a mixed response.

Surereed Ltd applied in February 2020 to convert rundown buildings in the heart of Ringwood’s market place into a mixture of new dwellings and office space with associated gardens and parking.

New Forest District Council planning officers granted permission for the plans which would see the currently empty 25 Market Place building, formerly a pub and restaurant, welcome a three-bed town house with additional use for office or retail space as well as a self-contained first floor apartment.

Planners said the project “would enable the reuse of important buildings in the town's conservation area, resulting in a significant visual improvement to this end of the High Street”.

The bulk of development will take place behind the main market place through a passageway leading to land by Strides Lane.

Bournemouth Echo: Rear of 25/25A Market Place in Ringwood town centre. Picture: Surereed LtdRear of 25/25A Market Place in Ringwood town centre. Picture: Surereed Ltd

It is here where developers intend to transform a derelict and formerly listed coach house into a detached one-bedroom house and build two lots of three new terrace dwellings.

Prior to permission being granted, three residents voiced support for the project, while ten objected.

Supporters heralded the development as injecting new life into the space, while objectors said already poor access to the site would be made worse with an influx of new residents and vehicles.

Twenty new car parking spaces also formed part of the plan.

In its design statement, developers said: “The development will contribute positively to the vitality and visibility of the town centre and support the continued function of its services and facilities.”