MULTI-million-pound plans for a new shopping mall in the centre of Ringwood have been put on the back burner by New Forest council's powerful new "Cabinet".

The seven-member committee has sent out a strong message that it will listen to local concerns before making any decisions.

The scheme floated earlier this year by United Consolidated Group, owners of the Furlong Centre, involves a radical revamp of the town centre with 50,000 square feet of new shops between the main car park and the High Street.

But the project, drawn up with New Forest council, also takes up part of the Furlong car park and means re-routing traffic and moving toilets, bus stops and the tourist information office. The plans met local opposition and Ringwood member Cllr Peter Greenfield told the Cabinet he feared the council might be tying itself too closely with the developers and trying to push the scheme forward rather than taking a neutral stance.

He added that it was a question of addressing what the community and commerce of the town wanted.

Council leader and Cabinet chairman Simon Hayes agreed: "It is important that we do send a message to Ringwood that there is concern about what is happening there. We are not happy with the proposals as they are at the moment but we do feel there is a need to refurbish and revitalise the centre of Ringwood."

Shopkeeper Sana Stephens was given her chance to have a say following a plea by opposition group leader Maureen Robinson.

Mrs Stephens told the cabinet of the "nice and friendly" service people receive when they go into the shops of the town, which has been regenerating itself, and reminded councillors that a petition had been handed in expressing concerns about the effect a big new development would have.

Amid fears that Ringwood could lose its market town character, the Cabinet agreed to consult the community, call for a design brief and look at various options for the use of land in its ownership.