New Forest District Council approves application by UKG to change former Barclays in High Street, Ringwood, to educational use

PLANS to turn a former high street bank into an educational site have been given the green light despite an objection by the town’s council.

UKG, a Bransgore-based firm providing educational support services, applied to utilise the former Barclays building, which closed last June.

In its application to New Forest District Council, UKG asked permission to change the building use from financial services to “learning and non-residential institutions”. It also wants to make internal alterations to “re-optimise space”, including adding three rooflights and changing a balustrade to a terrace.

As reported in the A&T, the plans were slammed by Ringwood Town Council, which said it was “out of keeping and considered inappropriate” for the “prominent location on the high street which is an essential core of the primary shopping area because it is not an active use of the ground floor”.

Discussing the application at a meeting of the planning committee, Cllr Barry Rickman said he supported the plans: “I think it could be good for revitalising the area and be good for local businesses and good for the type of people it is introducing into the town.”

Cllr Philip Dowd added: “There are lots of issues on this one to balance. As a former Hastings resident, I am aware of the impact of language schools on the viability of a community, bringing trade to the area. I do think having a language school can be a positive thing for the wider community.

“There are obvious concerns – it is important where there is a Local Plan, and all the time and effort that goes into it, we should be mindful of that. But on balance I feel we should support this.”