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Welcome to Friends of Ringwood Forest

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A family enjoying the 'Through The Forest' bike track as it enters the proposed Purple Haze quarry site

We are 'Friends of Ringwood Forest' (FoRF). Our campaign slogan is is 'Say NO to Purple Haze'. As an environmentally-aware group, we have the current goal of keeping alive a section of Ringwood Forest called 'Purple Haze' (which is adjacent to Moors Valley Country Park). It's the site for a proposed quarry that will cause deforestation, destruction or disruption of valuable habitats for rare species and will result in multiple impacts on the community and environment in general. This affects YOU and how you enjoy this beautiful place.

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This website explains these impacts, illustrates what developing a quarry in Ringwood Forest entails and gives you an insight to the planning processes – now at both a local and government level. These processes will decide whether or not the development gains consent to proceed. We hope to persuade the planning authorities that allocating Purple Haze as a site for sand and gravel extraction – for several decades – is unsound.​

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Following Examination Hearings, held between 4th and 13th February 2025, additional specialist advice was received regarding the Purple Haze proposed allocation as a sand quarry. As a result, a second  Hearing (virtual/on-line and specifically relating to Purple Haze) was held on Tuesday 9th September 2025. The February and September Hearings were called for by a Planning Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State. The Planning Inspector's role is basically to rule on the soundness and legality of HCC's Plan, not on individual planning applications in this case. Following a Public Hearing, the Inspector compiles a report which is then formally submitted, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to HCC. The Planning Inspector's role in this case is explained in more detail below.

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Please note that clicking on any of the links below will cause you to leave this site. However, clicking the back arrow of your browser may get you back to the site. Alternatively, you may be able to click on a tab in your browser name Liveforest.

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Hampshire County Council is abbreviated here as 'HCC'. The Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan is abbreviated here to 'HMWP' or 'Plan'. Purple Haze forms a part of the Plan at this stage.

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Following Examination Hearings, held between 4th and 13th February 2025, additional specialist advice was received regarding the Purple Haze proposed allocation as a sand quarry. As a result, a second  Hearing (virtual/on-line and specifically relating to Purple Haze) was held on Tuesday 9th September 2025. The February and September Hearings were called for by a Planning Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State. The Planning Inspector's role is basically to rule on the soundness and legality of HCC's Plan, not on individual planning applications in this case. Following a Public Hearing, the Inspector compiles a report which is then formally submitted, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to HCC. The Planning Inspector's role in this case is explained in more detail below.

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The hearing processes have been informal with 'round-table' sessions led by the Planning Inspector. This process is in contrast to the more formal, traditional format of a public inquiry. Accordingly, there were no cross-examinations or formal presentation of parties’ cases.

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The document links below provide a background to the purpose of the Hearing.

​Guidance notes for Hearing

Matters Planning Inspector wishes to address

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The September Hearing session was a continuation of Matters 9 and 1 as detailed in the Inspector's Matters, Issues, and Questions (document ID03) having regard to the specialist advice that was provided and regard to any implications thereof.

 

The specialist advice is published as document EX38. This document is of particular interest and contains a topic which was much discussed at the September hearing: a hydrology report on Purple Haze by consultants Jacobs. Geo-hydrologists representing Verwood Town Council and the developer Grundon participated in the meeting.

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EX38-Specialist-advice-on-PurpleHazehydrology-030725.pdf.

 

All documents relating to the HCC Plan, including those discussed above, are published in HCC's Examination Library for matters relating to the plan. This library can be viewed here here 

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​Contact us

info@forf.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/No2PurpleHaze/

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