We are a civic society which is affiliated to the Civic Trust and we hope to encourage high standards of planning and architecture in both the Town and the surrounding villages. These include the preservation, protection and improvement of features of public interest. We also keep members informed about the local environment.

We achieve these aims by inspecting and commenting upon all relevant planning applications, especially when they relate to listed buildings and those in a conservation area. We communicate with the New Forest District Council to express our views. All meetings of the Fordingbridge Town Council Planning Committee are attended by a delegate from our Executive Committee who expresses our views where appropriate.

Right now we have a BIG concern about New Forest District Council planning to put 100 houses in a field off the Eastern side of the Whitsbury Road and North of Burnham Road, and to almost double the size of the Sandleheath Industrial Estate.

The extra traffic - including big articulated lorries - can only get to and from these sites by driving through Fordingbridge High Street. Not a good idea!! Yet another small market town gets suffocated by developments which have not be thought through properly!!

See our letter to NFDC here.

STOP PRESS!!

Do you live near the proposed Whitsbury Road housing development? If so read on!!

There will be a public exhibition on Monday, 15 April at Avonway between 2.30pm and 7.30pm. about the Whitsbury Road housing development. This meeting is hosted by Vuepoint Consulting on behalf of their clients, the property developers, The Highwood Group. There will be plans and layouts available for you to scrutinise, and there will be representatives to talk to, to voice your concerns.

All residents of homes near this site are urged to attend this meeting at some point during the afternoon/evening, and to complete the feedback forms. This is not just about the site in the future when householders move into these new homes. Think about the movement and delivery of plant and machinery, scaffolding, bricks, concrete, etc. All the usual mess in and around a building site as work commences. How will that affect you?

OTHER MATTERS THAT WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON..........

1. The future of the old Fordingbridge Hospital site - in danger of being left to rot because no developer will spend the estimated £1 million needed to clean up the asbestos, etc, to make the site viable for development.

2. The site of the Fordingbridge Working Men's Club off Roundhill - what will become of it?

Click on LATEST NEWS to keep up with our activities.

In addition to this website, we publish to all members a 4-monthly newsletter “The Fordingbridger” to report upon our actions in the face of proposed and in-progress developments in the town. Our Editor is always pleased to receive articles of general interest and, in particular, of relevance to our stated aims.

The Executive Committee meets regularly to consider suitable action on issues of interest and concern.

With over 150 members we have significant influence in our dealings with the local authorities, and the more members we have the greater is our strength. So, please join us - click here for the application form with full details of membership rates. If you have any queries the committee member appropriate to your area will be pleased to hear from you (see Contacts).

We have prepared a "Welcome Pack" for newcomers and those planning on moving to Fordingbridge. This booklet contains a wealth of information about every aspect of living in our community. Get your copy by contacting our Hon. Secretary - see "Contacts" page for details.

Details of our "Town Trail" guide to Fordingbridge can be bought for 20p at The Museum.

Visiting Fordingbridge? Click here for full details of our Visitor Information Centre.

Shopping in Fordingbridge? Click here for details of all our shops and businesses.