HOPEFUL tenants from across most of Essex and Suffolk will be able to apply for council homes in Colchester and Tendring under new rules being discussed.

Meanwhile, people on the waiting list in Colchester or Tendring can bid to move to social housing in six other districts, under the new housing allocations policy.

An agreement in principle has been made with the authorities in the Haven Gateway Partnership to allow unrestricted crossing of boundaries by hopeful tenants, with a couple of exceptions.

The other authorities within the partnership are Babergh, Braintree, Maldon, Mid-Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal and Ipswich.

A report, to be discussed at Wednesday's meeting of Colchester Council's strategic overview and scrutiny panel, states that while applicants in high-demand areas could move to less popular ones, it is estimated few people would move great distances.

Gerard Oxford (Ind, Highwoods) said he wanted to keep a close eye on the policy to ensure it was working, but he predicted it would help some people, especially those in Colchester looking for larger homes.

"I was stopped this morning by a woman in our ward who is having trouble getting a four-bedroom property, because they're like gold-dust in Colchester," he said.

"She is now considering moving to a neighbouring authority to see whether she would be able to get accommodation there, so for her it would be a good move.

"At this moment in time I have some concerns, but I'm basically watching this space.

"I will be extremely keen to see the information as this rolls out, and what the impact is for Colchester."

Other changes are proposed - including increasing the number of housing bands from four to five and alterations as to which people are in which band, according to their needs and eligibility.