COUNCILLORS in Christchurch will have an extra chance to scrutinise the development of the borough’s new planning strategy after agreeing to arrange an extra meeting.

Members of Christchurch council’s scrutiny and policy overview committee unanimously supported a proposal to hold an extra meeting next month so that they could analyse the contents of the draft local plan.

The plan was originally being drawn up in conjunction with East Dorset District Council but the two authorities split due to “uncertainty” over the local government reorganisation (LGR) process.

The document includes sites across the borough which have been earmarked for the development of more than 1,000 homes.

However, it still falls short by 1,769 homes against the targeted levels of development through to 2033.

A consultation giving residents an opportunity to comment on the local plan began at the start of the week and will run until early September.

However, with no meeting scheduled until after its conclusion, members of the scrutiny committee unanimously agreed to organise an additional one next month so that the document's contents could be examined.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the scrutiny committee, chairman Cllr Colin Jamieson said: “It is probably the most important thing that is coming through – apart from LGR – this council.

“We should take the opportunity – which should have been offered to us in the first instance – to discuss the content.”

Councillors backed a motion by vice-chairman Cllr David Jones to schedule a meeting for late August.