Paul Basham Associates have successfully supported the Greyfriars Charity in securing planning consent for their £4.5m Arts Centre project in the centre of Ringwood.
The brief
The centrepiece of the project was the 300-seat theatre, with associated activity rooms and facilities to host drama and fitness classes, local groups and clubs, with associated Cafe/Bar facility. Our team were approached via Williams Lester Architects to provide the necessary Transport Planning works to see this project through the planning process.
Our approach
With the scheme footprint resulting in the loss of public parking spaces within the Blynkbonnie Car Park, and concern raised by Ringwood Town Council, New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council over the parking strategy for the site, Paul Basham Associates Transport Statement and Travel Plan documents had a strong focus on parking availability and demand pre- and post-development. Through our assessment works, all parties were reassured that the impact of the development could be mitigated against and accommodated within the confines of the land available.
Tracking of delivery and a large refuse vehicle was undertaken, ensuring that the retained library and proposed theatre would be serviced appropriately.
The result
With over 4,000 students in Ringwood alone, the arts centre are now working to obtain the necessary funding to start the build. With support from a number of avenues already, Paul Basham Associates look forward to seeing the centre thrive.
From our client
Paul Basham Associates responded rapidly and accurately to an urgent request to meet a deadline for consideration by Hampshire County Council Highways Department. Their work resulted in complete acceptance...and was instrumental in the approval of our planning application by the District Council
Michael Osborne
Greyfriars Arts Centre