THE FUTURE approach to housing across the New Forest is taking shape following a new report on the district's planning strategy.

Various "strategic sites" have been earmarked including in Lymington, Ringwood and Fordingbridge.

However, several sites have been removed from the plan, estimate housing numbers altered and other sites added.

The latest list has seen potential development areas in Lymington, Everton, Hordle and New Milton removed due to them being viewed as stronger Green Belt locations.

The sites to the south (P) and east (Q) of Ringwood, as well as west of Bransgore (O), are now all subject to strategic flood risk assessments.

The council is targetting to deliver 5,660 homes through strategic sites listed in the Local Plan 2016-2036 when including the former Fawley Power Station.

Louise Evans, New Forest District Council's service manager for planning, said: "We are making good progress on the Local Plan Review and our aim is to have a robust and sound Local Plan that balances the need to accommodate development with the sensitivities and environmental constraints of the area.

"Plan preparation can be a lengthy process, but it is important that we ensure that new developments contribute to the vitality and sustainability of our communities and safeguard our special environment."

The report presented to New Forest District Council's planning committee alongside the environment overview and scrutiny panel, said: "The latest position incorporates new or updated evidence, and review of information submitted through and after the 2016 public consultation including consideration of all additional proposed development sites.

"Our design team continues to explore scope to increase densities in appropriate

locations whilst delivering development forms that respect local character and the

landscape, so site capacities may change.

"Most sites are on the rural edge of small towns and large villages, where development forms need very careful treatment and it is anticipated that significantly higher forms of density are not appropriate."

The revised list of strategic sites with labels and locations from Lymington west are as follows (estimate number of homes):

E - south-west of Lymington (180)

New site - south of Lymington (100)

F - north-east of Milford-on-Sea, (110)

H - central Hordle (180)

I - north Hordle (100)

L - north-east New Milton (130)

N - south-west New Milton (130)

O - west of Bransgore (100)

P - south of Ringwood (400)

Q - east of Ringwood (250)

S - north-west of Fordingbridge (290)

T - east of Ashford (130)

New site - north of Fordingbridge, Burgate (350)