Villagers will get a chance to have their say on multimillion pound plans to protect their homes from flooding.

The Environment Agency has unveiled fresh proposals to safeguard the likes of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon from large scale flooding.

The plans include installing a clay dam in the River Blackwater which will help to control the flow of water heading downstream.

Should the river level rise excessively, the structure would direct overflowing water into a new 155-acre flood storage area to the north of Cuthedge Lane.

The storage space would be constructed by the owners of the nearby quarry, Blackwater Aggregates.

The Environment Agency has submitted a scoping request to County Hall to establish whether the scheme would be suitable.

A spokesman said: "The construction of the proposed online embankment across the River Blackwater and the ‘offline’ flood storage area next to the river will be delivered in phases.

"The scheme will provide a sustainable and passive solution to flooding within the Blackwater Valley.”

"As well as providing flood protection to the local villages, the project will look at opportunities to enhance features within the Blackwater Valley through the creation of new and biodiverse habitats on the fringe of Coggeshall.

“We will be holding a public drop-in event to give the local community and stakeholders the opportunity to discuss these plans.”

All three villages suffered heavy flooding in October 2001 and again in May 2012 and February 2014.

The Environment Agency has been working on a flood defence scheme for the area for several years and will require financial support from Blackwater Aggregates if it is to press ahead with building the £25m flood defence.

The creation of a new flood storage area mean 13 million tonnes of sand and gravel would need to be dug up and relocated.

Members of the public will be able to have their say during the drop in event, which is expected to take place in Coggeshall in the spring.

Environment bosses say the outcome of the consultation will have influence on the final plans, which are expected to be unveiled at the end of the year.

A spokesman added: "We encourage you to come along and see the latest designs and discuss these with our project team, and to let us know your thoughts.

"We will continue to meet with organisations, the local community and other stakeholders who are either affected by the scheme or can help to ensure we achieve the best outcomes from the scheme."