Neighbourhood plans were back on the agenda at a Cockermouth Town Council meeting.

Simon Sharp, Allerdale Council's planning and building control manager, made a presentation to the council, which includes five new members since the plan was previously considered - and rejected - three years ago.

Town councillors considered the pros and cons of creating a a community-driven development masterplan.

Mr Sharp said various parishes in the area were interested in creating plans, these include Little and Great Broughton, Brigham and Broughton Moor.

"In the absence of a Neighbourhood Plan, when a local planning authority makes a decision their first port of call is the Local Plan," he said.

The Local Plan Part 2 is scheduled for adoption next spring, he said.

"There is then a period of review and reflection," he said.

"As a result of this process of Local Plans having to go through this process of adoption, in many areas of the country, local town and parish councils have decided to go down the route of a Neighbourhood Plan.

"Some have done this for the wrong reasons, they think they can stop development and contradict completely the Local Plan. A Neighbourhood Plan cannot do that.

"What a Neighbourhood Plan can do is, if a parish or town council think that a Local plan is too inconsistent with national policy then a Neighbourhood Plan could have a role there."

He said it could address a particular issue and would take about two years from start to finish.

"It involves periods of engagement with the community, collating evidence, appraisal, consultation and referendum," said Mr Sharp.

"Once made it has exactly the same status as a Local Plan."

He said the council had to bear in mind what it wanted to achieve and the resources needed: money and people.

"It's hard work, don't underestimate the cost and commitment," he said.

"If the council wants to stop development then this is not for you, if it wants to shape development then this is a potential tool."

Councillor Alan Tyson questioned whether another plan was needed.

"If the Local Plan has the right policies then that covers what we need," he said. "A Neighbourhood Plan is very expensive and time consuming."

Councillor Alan Smith said: "There's great concern in the town and the way it's growing.

"We don't want developers coming in, cherry picking land and building houses.

"We need a masterplan, it doesn't stop development but takes the town forward."

Mr Sharp said: "We will support the town council either way. The advantages of the Neighbourhood Plan is that it's local and specific. The disadvantages are it's very resource and time hungry."

- Calls for a Neighbourhood Plan - a community-driven development masterplan - have previously been rejected by the town council. Concerns included its effectiveness, cost and the work involved.