Tendring residents are being invited to help shape the future of the district by having their say on where thousands of new homes could be built in the coming years.

Tendring District Council has today (Monday, 9 February) launched a six week consultation as part of a major review of the district’s Local Plan - the district’s blueprint for future development.

Residents are being asked to share their views on the council’s preferred locations for future housing, employment land and mixed use development up to 2042 and beyond.

The Preferred Options document includes proposals for three new garden villages and a major expansion at Harwich, as well as proportionate development across towns and villages, to meet the Government’s new mandatory housing targets and shape the district’s long-term future.

The review of the Local Plan comes after the Government made changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The changes meant Tendring’s annual housing requirement almost doubling from 550 to 1,063 homes per year from January 2026.

As a result, the council must plan for a further 7,000–8,000 homes by 2042, in addition to the 10,700 already in the pipeline.

As part of the consultation, there will be five face-to-face drop-in sessions with council officers at:

• Thursday, 26 February – Brightlingsea Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea CO7 0BP (3-7pm)

• Saturday, 28 February – St Andrew’s Primary School, Old Clacton Road, Weeley CO16 9LW (10am-2pm)

• Thursday, 5 March – Frinton Community Association, Soken House, Triangle Shopping Centre, Frinton, CO13 0AU (3-7pm)

• Monday, 9 March – Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford, CO11 2JE (3-7pm)

• Wednesday, 11 March – 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich, CO12 3ER (3-7pm)

Councillor Andy Baker, TDC Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, encouraged residents to make their voices heard.

“Residents now have an important chance to influence how Tendring develops over the coming years, and I really hope people take the time to get involved,” he said.

“The Government’s new mandatory housing targets mean we must now plan for almost twice the number of homes than before, which is a major shift for our district and will be felt in every community.

“To respond to this, we’re looking at a mix of options — including the creation of new garden villages alongside measured growth in existing towns and villages.

“This isn’t just about allocating land for homes, it’s about ensuring we secure the infrastructure that make development sustainable for local people.

“With Local Government Reorganisation on the horizon, this Local Plan is likely to be the last produced by this council.

“That makes it even more important that we set out a positive, long term vision for Tendring’s future.

“I’d encourage everyone to share their views – either online or in writing – and visit one of our drop-in events so that together we can shape a plan that puts Tendring in the strongest position for the years ahead.”

The council is aiming to submit the plan to Government in late 2026, followed by examination by a Planning Inspector in summer 2027 and, subject to that process, adoption in winter 2027.

The consultation documents, interactive maps and online response form are available on the council’s website. Paper representations will also be accepted, either by emailing planning.policy@tendringdc.gov.uk or by completing a copy available from local libraries.

The six week consultation runs until 5pm on Monday, 23 March. To take part, go to www.tendringdc.gov.uk/consultations/local-plan-review-preferred-options.