A DEBATE over the potential dangers of shared space in Christchurch High Street took place as the council's town strategy took a step forward.

Members unanimously approved the latest plans for the town centre, which include three main themes all based around the heritage of the town.

The draft strategy will now be taken to full council for approval, with a group set-up to move the strategy forward.

The document has been produced following a consultation last year with residents, who raised concerns about a number of issues including the prospect of town centre car parks being sold off for housing to fund the initiative.

This suggestion has now been removed from the strategy.

At a meeting of the community services committee, Cllr Colin Bungey said raised reservations over the scheme, including the idea of 'shared space' in the High Street.

"It is a very fashionable idea to mix pedestrians with traffic", he said.

"In all my years in construction it was always considered bad practice to mix pedestrians with traffic; we kept them separate.

"We have an elderly population we have to look after. I think those things are worrying.

"I would like to think that we will look at this very carefully before we agree any movement forward."

Strategic director, Dave Barnes, responded: "Some of the things in this document are architectural. What happens in Christchurch needs to be right for Christchurch.

"Any detailed proposal which is worked up as part of the process needs to take further consultation and involvement."

Leader of the council, Cllr Ray Nottage, added: "This is a strategy, it is not going into detail.

"We have some serious problems in Christchurch. The fastest growing group in the town is aged from 0-16.

"We have to take consideration of just about everything, the whole population, not just one part.

"It was a difficult process, we have got a report which has now been produced in such a way to be clearly understandable."

The strategy is split into three areas - heritage, High Street, and places and connectivity.

Specialists Barr Gazetas said the town's economy could be enhanced by enabling people to live in the town centre, balancing the needs of pedestrians and traffic, and enhancing heritage assets.

As part of those plans, high street parking would be reduced, and while not explicitly referred to as shared space, there are suggestions that the road should be level with the pavement at the Old Town Hall and repaved in granite to form a "natural crossing zone."

This has also been raised as an idea for the High Street outside the Regent Centre.