TOWN councillors have delayed a decision over plans for a Lidl supermarket in Ringwood.

Members of the planning, town and environment committee told the one member of public present they would defer deciding on the new supermarket until further information was received.

The New Forest District Council's deadline is March 10.

The planning officer told members there were several areas still to be considered for the Forest Gate Business Park on Christchurch Road, formerly the Wellworthy’s site.

These include the change of use for the building, from industrial to retail, the cramped site layout, insufficient room for landscaping, the amount of parking required, and the potential noise and disturbance to residential properties in the surrounding area, the officer said.

Councillors said they thought the proposal would be welcomed by residents but cited concerns with landscaping and the building's change of use, as well as the impact of the development.

As previously reported, the Activity Centre at Greyfriars Community Centre hosted a consultation at the end of November.

Residents were given a glimpse into plans for the two-storey building, over 2,432m sq, with 115 car-parking spaces, including seven for disabled parking and three for people with children.

The committee concluded that a decision be deferred until the next meeting on February 5, when further information would be available from the urban design officer, Highways officer and the retail critique assessor.