DISCUSSIONS on exploring the possibility of creating a new set of policies to shape future development in Ringwood are set to be back on the table.

Members of Ringwood Town Council will debate a motion for looking into a neighbourhood plan after initial discussions led to the proposal being deferred in November last year.

Councillors will consider whether to approve the use of the existing budget to engage consultants on the matter, which equates to a commitment to £3,000, at a meeting on Wednesday (15.5).

Neighbourhood plans allow communities to produce policies which focus on issues specific to the needs and ambitions at a more local level, such as housing.

In September, Cllr Jeremy Heron said the neighbourhood plan "is the biggest waste of money this council has considered to spend in a long, long time".

However, Cllr Philip Day said: “It gives us an opportunity to have a far greater say legally in terms of planning applications than we have at the moment."