FERNDOWN has agreed to begin drawing up a Neighbourhood Plan.

Such plans, introduced via the Localism Act in 2011, allow residents to tailor planning policy to the needs of their community, and must be taken into account by higher tier council planning departments.

Ferndown is the only town council within East Dorset that has decided to adopt a Neighbourhood Plan, which was agreed on Monday, July 23, though they are increasingly common across the county.

Councillor Paul Hanson Graham, chairman of the planning committee, said he was delighted at the outcome.

"Ferndown already has its own Town Plan but this will go further as it is a statutory plan," he said.

"There are many stages to go through before this is completed, a public consultation with Ferndown residents will be held in the future so residents can have their say on the proposals."

The proposals were put on hold at the start of the year due to uncertainty over Local Government Reorganisation.

Neighbourhood Plans require approval in a town poll before they become law.