VILLAGERS are being asked to have their say on a plan which could influence the future of hundreds of new homes in a popular village.

A six week consultation on Tiptree Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Plan has begun.

The plan will shape future development in the area for the next 15 years and aims to protect the community from speculative developments.

If it gets the green light it will be used by Colchester Council to influence future planning applications.

As part of the neighbourhood plan, Tiptree Parish Council has outlined where 600 homes could be built by 2034.

It includes space for 175 homes in Tower End and 450 homes between two sites at Highland Nursery and Elms Farm.

The locations were identified after two calls for sites by Colchester Council in 2014 and the parish council in 2017.

The draft plan said: “The sites that are being promoted here are considered to have the capacity to deliver the required 600 homes for Tiptree.

“The total number of houses allocated to this plan is sufficient to ensure the viability of the planning gains required of developers and to enable the Elms Farm development to connect with Colchester Road across an additional piece of land at The Maypole corner.”

Witham MP Priti Patel, whose constituency includes Tiptree, has urged villagers to make sure they have their say.

Ms Patel said: “I would strongly encourage residents and businesses in Tiptree to engage in this process, take part in the consultation and help shape decision-making.

“Communities throughout this part of Essex face the terrible situation where speculative developers are proposing huge developments in inappropriate places and trying to force their plans through.

“This is putting pressures on our infrastructure and public services.

“Neighbourhood plans can offer some protections by giving local communities the chance to shape and steer development in their area.”

Paper copies of the plan can be found at the parish council offices, library and the Staines and Brights shop in Church Road.

For more details, email nptiptree@btconnect.com or call 01621 817030.