Residents have called for improvements to local infrastructure ahead of the development of thousands of new homes in Tendring.

Town and parish councils, community groups, businesses, and local people were asked to have their say on four new alternatives as part of a full-scale review of Tendring’s Local Plan - the blueprint for future growth and development in the district.

The review is affected by the Government's changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which will see Tendring’s annual housebuilding target nearly double from 2026 onwards.

It means Tendring District Council (TDC) must now plan for an additional 7,000-8,000 homes by 2041, on top of the 9,600 already in the pipeline.

In a bid to meet the challenging target, the council presented four new growth options for public feedback, which included proposals for major development in Harwich and the creation of new garden villages along key transport corridors.

The results of the six-week public consultation on the ‘Issues and Options’ document were discussed by TDC’s Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee at a meeting last week.

The committee heard that many consultees supported the idea of planned garden communities - but only if they come with the improvements to roads, schools, GP surgeries, and public transport needed to support them.

Others urged the council to protect green spaces, preserve the rural character of the district, and avoid piecemeal development and urban sprawl.

It also heard that, in total, 343 sites were submitted through the council’s Call for Sites process, with many focused along the A120 and A133 corridors and around existing settlements. These are now being assessed to determine which are most suitable for future development.

At the same time, the council is strengthening the evidence base that will guide the next stage of the plan. A newly completed Strategic Housing Market Assessment confirms the need for over 17,500 new homes by 2041, highlighting growing demand for affordable housing, homes for older people, and accessible properties.

Councillor Andy Baker, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said the consultation had sent a powerful message.

“People in Tendring aren’t against growth - but they want it done right,” he said.

“They want homes that are supported by real investment in roads, schools, healthcare, and public transport.

“They want to see green spaces protected and communities strengthened, not stretched.

“The feedback we’ve received is helping us shape a Local Plan that works not just on paper, but in real life - for the people who live here now and for generations to come.”

Council officers are now preparing the ‘Preferred Options’ draft of the Local Plan, which will set out proposed development sites and planning policies.

This draft is expected to be published for public consultation later this year, following which the final version will be prepared, published for another round of public consultation, and then submitted to the Government for public examination.

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