NEARLY 3,000 residents have backed a plan for Wivenhoe which limits the number of new homes which can be built to 250 over the next 14 years.

A Neighbourhood Plan was compiled following six years of preparation by a steering group.

It involved consulting the community and asking for its ideas for the town.

A referendum saw 89 per cent of residents (2,771 people) back the plan, which will be used to guide planners at Colchester Council when ruling on Wivenhoe development applications.

Robert Needham, town councillor and chairman of the Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: “The acceptance of the plan by Wivenhoe residents is an endorsement of the hard work done by a huge band of volunteers who have given their time and expertise.

“It is also an acknowledgement of the input by our residents who answered the exploratory questionnaire attended the range of consultation sessions and brought forward their visions for Wivenhoe.

“This is effectively the people’s plan for developing Wivenhoe up to 2033. The plan can now be enshrined into local planning legislation and will see future dwelling development in the plan area contained to 250 properties over the life of the plan.”