WORK on producing a neighbourhood plan for Fordingbridge is “moving quite quickly”.

Councillor Mike Jackson gave an update on the plan during a meeting of Fordingbridge Town Council last week.

He said: “Things are moving quite quickly.”

A neighbourhood plan is designed to allow communities to shape the development of their local area. A referendum of residents then decides whether it is adopted.

The plan can then be taken into account by the planning authority when deciding whether to grant planning permission.

A committee has been set up to move forward with the project and had its first meeting earlier this year.

Cllr Jackson told the meeting that a number of meetings were due to take place with “interested bodies”.

He said in terms of plans for housing developments he said affordable and social housing was an area that would pop up but he says it was not clear if this was a problem for Fordingbridge, adding: “We need to find out about demand.”

Mr Jackson said New Forest District Council was updating its housing list and the neighbourhood plan group were hoping to get that information.

He said part of the neighbourhood plan process was gathering information, adding: “It has to be evidence based.”

New Forest District councillor for Fordingbridge, Ann Bellows, said the information was being gathered.

“We haven’t got the information out but we will be getting it.”

The meeting heard there were different types of social and affordable housing, which would need to be considered when looking at this further.

Last year, Fordingbridge Town Council voted to proceed with producing its own neighbourhood plan.

Residents are being encouraged to get involved in the neighbourhood plan and share their views for the future of the town. For more information about the plan or to get involved call 01425 654134 or email consultation@fordingbridge.gov.uk

Ringwood Town Council is also in the process of producing a neighbourhood plan.