WEST Devon Borough Council has published plans on how to manage applications for new retail developments including supermarkets.

The draft planning document sets out the local rules on when an impact assessment study would be required to gauge how a new retail development might affect the borough's town centres.

A spokesman for the council said: 'This will be an important tool for the council when it comes to dealing with applications for new retail units.

'We welcome views from all sections of the community and would urge everyone to have their say in good time."

People are invited to pop along to drop-in surgeries in both Okehampton and Tavistock.

These take place at the Okehampton Customer Service Centre on Tuesday, March 12 from 2 to 4pm and Wednesday, March 20 from 10am to 12 noon, and at Tavistock Town Hall on Thursday, March 21 from 11am to 4pm. 

The document called 'Assessing the Impact of New Retail Development in West Devon Draft Supplementary Planning Document' is available on the council's website, where people can also give their views.

The public consultation starts on Thursday, March 7 and all views must be received by 5pm on Monday, April 8.