Ringwood Town Council against UKG’s plans to change former Barclays in High Street to educational use

PLANS to turn a former high street bank into an educational site have been slammed by the town’s council.

The site on Ringwood High Street was a Barclays until the branch closed in June last year.

Now UKG – a Bransgore-based firm providing educational support services – has unveiled its plans to revamp the building.

But Ringwood Town Council has recommended New Forest District Council throw out the scheme, saying it is “out of keeping and considered inappropriate” for this “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”.

It also criticised a proposal to install rooflights, saying that one at the front of the building would be “out of keeping with the style of the other windows, the façade of the building and given that it is in the conservation area”.

In its application, UKG wants 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.

In a design and access statement by Studio Arkell, on behalf of UKG, it was stated that the proposals for 6-8 High Street would “enhance the finish of the existing – aligning more closely to the terrace of number 4 High Street”.

“At present the outlook from number 4 is bleak, with a haphazard fire escape route over the existing flat roof of number 6-8,” it added. “This application will see the upgrade of this terrace to make optimal use of the space.“

It further says: “The external fabric of the building will remain much the same, with only the addition of three conservation rooflights to improve the levels of natural light within the building. These will not be visible from the street scene due to their location and the height of the parapet wall to the primary elevation, therefore having a negligible impact on the conservation area.

“The property is currently vacant. It is our client’s aim to repurpose this property as an educational building. The new use would increase footfall within the town, and boost the local economy.”

Studio Arkell said the proposed additions “will have negligible impact on the street scene appearance from High Street and Friday’s Cross”.

It added: “The proposal will not cause harm to the character and appearance of the host building or nearby designated heritage assets.”

The application will now go before NFDC’s planning committee.