A DECISION on plans to earmark 10,000 new homes in Tendring over the next 17 years have been put on hold.

The Local Plan process was last week labelled as a “farce” following yet another about-turn that saw the number of new homes needed increased back up to 10,000.

It has been hoped the number of homes in Tendring Council’s Local Plan – the blueprint for development in the district – could have been cut to 8,000.

But Tendring Council Local Plan committee said further work needs to be carried out before a final figure can be set.

The committee heard on Thursday that new information and data has come forward which needs to be assessed.

There is pressure on Tendring Council to go for the higher figure of 597 properties a year over that period which would mean around 10,000 in all.

Councillors are more in favour of a figure nearer to the lower estimate of 479 which would represent about 8,000.

Colchester, Chelmsford and Braintree Councils will not support less than 597 for Tendring – unless the evidence supports a lower figure - and Essex County Council would like to see more homes.

However, the committee heard last night that new information has just been released about the District’s profile which now needs to be taken into consideration.

Consultant John Hollis has been brought in to carry out the investigations and the results are unlikely before January.

Neil Stock, leader of council, said: "We cannot make a final decision because work is on-going.

“We need to remain flexible and we need to bring this back to the next meeting in January or to a special meeting of the committee if it is necessary.”

Councillors were told that once the new information has been processed the final figure for Tendring is likely to be above the 479 but possibly lower than the 597.

“As much as we want a lower figure, our numbers must be credible,” added Mr Stock.

“We need to get this right but also remember that the Local Plan is about much more than just the numbers and we must not become obsessed by that.”