PLANS for a large-scale housing development in Clacton have been made public.

A consortium of landowners and developers wants to build more than 2,000 houses on the Hartley Park site, west of Clacton, near Brook Retail Park.

The proposal also includes a new school, a medical centre, sports facilities and room to build shops and business premises.

The site is currently classed as low grade agricultural land.

James Brown, of developer, the Hartley Park Group, said: “Hartley Park represents a unique and exciting opportunity to meet the needs of local communities in Clacton over the next 15 to 20 years.

“It will bring quality new homes, as well as jobs and services to go with the housing growth. Hartley Park promises to be the most significant boost to the district's economy in more than a generation.”

The plans are based on outlines set out in Tendring Council’s local development framework document.

The framework document has yet to be finally approved and has upset many residents, who oppose the idea of squeezing such major developments on to empty land in the town.

Public exhibitions are being held over the next fortnight to explain the proposals and give residents a say on the framework.

Planners are stressing the Hartley Park proposal has not been finalised, and may well change before it is submitted as a planning application Mr Brown added: “We await with interest the outcome of the current consultation on housing growth in Tendring.

“We are also looking forward to progressing our vision for Hartley Park and working with the community to achieve the best for Clacton’s future.

“No other site in Tendring has as much potential as Hartley Park.

“It would bring major benefits to the town and the wider area.”

The proposal also includes a new new link road between the A133 and Jaywick Lane to ease local congestion.

For more information on the project, visit www.hartleyparkclacton.co.uk.