VILLAGERS are being urged to have their say on a neighbourhood plan which will guide the delivery of 400 new homes.

Tiptree Parish Council revealed its neighbourhood plan was ready to go for consultation in late January.

The draft plan has now been published to undergo a period of public consultation until May 1.

As part of the Government’s commitment to build housing, Colchester Council must enable the delivery of 13,800 homes by 2033.

Tiptree’s share of this is 600 homes, including the development at Barbrook Lane.

The parish council cannot affect this development, but aims to guide the delivery of the extra 400 homes in a way which will accommodate the needs of future residents and enhance the community infrastructure.

Read more >>> Neighbourhood plan which will shape future of village ready for consultation

The sites allocated for a minimum of 200 homes each are Highland Nursery and Elms Farm.

Development proposals will be supported subject to criteria, including a new medical centre and community facility at Elms Farm and a commercial area at Highland Nursery.

With the neighbourhood plan, the council has set out its vision for Tiptree to 2033.

In the draft plan, it says: “Our vision is to retain an attractive village feel to Tiptree with a close relationship to its heritage and surrounding countryside.

“We want to strengthen the supportive community at the heart of Tiptree through sympathetic development whilst at the same time developing a thriving rural centre with a sustainable economy and a robust infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.”

The main goals of the plan are to deliver development in keeping with the feel, rural surroundings and heritage of Tiptree, protect the village’s environment, enable the centre to thrive as a safe location and improve movement through the village.

It also aims to meet housing, infrastructure and service needs in a sustainable manner, and to make sure Tiptree is an attractive location for businesses so its economy can thrive.

Respond to the draft neighbourhood plan online at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TiptreeNP2.

Those unable to respond online, can fill in a paper response form and return it to the parish council office in 56 Church Road, CO5 0SU.