RESIDENTS in Castle Point will be asked by the council to decide between building up towns or green spaces in the future.

The authority has been told by the Government it has to provide 4,000 new homes and 2,000 new jobs before 2021, but the council is asking people how they think that should happen.

A consultation has been sent to a random selection of residents, but anyone can send their views in to the council. The authority has prepared three options for people to consider:

* Intensification of urban areas

* Re-allocation of business land and use of peripheral urban green belt

* A large urban extension with new infrastructure.

Residents have until March 29 to comment.

Published Wednesday, February 22, 2006