MORE than 1,000 people have already had their say in a consultation that could shape future house building in Poole over the next two decades.

Twelve drop-in sessions have taken place, with residents keen to voice their opinion on the plans.

Nick Perrins, planning policy and implementation manager, Borough of Poole, said: “There has been a really good response to the consultation so far with a number of views provided from residents.

"We would encourage people to keep on engaging with us, attend the remaining drop-in events to find out more and continue to give us their feedback before the consultation closes on August 8, 2016.”

Borough of Poole is now three weeks in to the major public consultation on a planning blueprint that will eventually help shape future development in the borough until 2033.

A council spokesman confirmed 1,009 people had attended drop in sessions, and said they'd "already received a significant number of written responses so far."

Residents are being asked their views on the Poole Local Plan Review, which will set out how the borough will accommodate an additional 5,000 new homes by 2033, to meet the growing housing need.

Poole’s current Core Strategy already sets out the borough’s approach to ensuring 10,000 homes are built by 2026 – but of the 14,200 new homes needed by 2033, just 9,200 are able to be developed on existing sites.

The consultation sets out more than 50 potential development sites, and three different development approaches, including allowing more high rise blocks in part of the town centre, relaxing rules on where flats can go, or building on greenbelt land.

Among a controversial raft of proposals are plans for 5,000 homes on green belt at Merley, building over borough car parks, and relocating the stadium and the civic centre.

Also on the list of potential sites for redevelopment are car show rooms on West Quay Road and Haven Road, The former Jellicoe Theatre on Constitution Hill Road, the Sea View Centre, part of the grounds at Magna Academy, Poole Pottery on the quay and the Pottery Industrial estate.