Where should development go?

That is the burning question for residents facing massive building work on their own doorsteps.

People in South Woodham Ferrers, Battlesbridge and Runwell are to be questioned by Chelmsford Council in a bid to come to a solution on where more than 5,000 homes should be sited.

The council has outlined a number of potential locations for new homes within the borough.

South Woodham Ferrers could get 200 new homes within the town and a further 700 on land north of the town.

Battlesbridge has proposals for up to 2,600 homes to be build near the railway station.

The Runwell hospital site has also been earmarked for development, with more than 3,000 houses proposed.

As part of the council's public consultation process it will be holding exhibitions outlining the key elements of the Second Issue Report, which details all the potential locations for development over the next ten years.

A Chelmsford Council spokesman said: "Plans will be available to view and council officers will be on hand to talk about what is and is not likely to happen."

South Woodham will host the exhibition on April 28 and 29 from 9am to 5pm at the town library in the William de Ferrers Centre.

The exhibition will then move onto Battlesbridge on May 11 where it will be held at Battlesbridge Free Church between 11am and 7pm.

Copies of the full report will be available at the exhibitions. People have until May 31 to make their views known.

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