Residents across Tendring are being invited to attend a series of public drop-in events to find out more about the district’s Local Plan and how they can take part in the final consultation.

Tendring District Council (TDC) is holding five sessions where planning officers will be available to explain the proposals, answer questions and help people understand how to submit comments as part of the consultation process.

The six-week consultation, which was launched on 7 September and runs until Monday, 19 October, is the final opportunity for residents, businesses, community groups, landowners and other interested parties to comment before the plan is submitted to Government for independent examination.

The Local Plan sets out where more than 18,000 new homes, as well as jobs, infrastructure and community facilities, should go across Tendring between 2026 and 2043.

The latest version of the plan has been shaped by previous public feedback, including hundreds of formal responses and conversations with residents during earlier consultation events and meetings with town and parish councils.

Councillor Carlo Guglielmi, Chairman of TDC’s Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee, thanked everyone who has taken part so far and encouraged people to get involved again at this final stage.

“People have already played a really important part in shaping the Local Plan, with more than 620 formal responses received during the previous consultation and around 700 conversations held with residents at events and meetings,” he said.

“This next stage is about making sure people understand what is now being proposed, how the process works, and how to make their comments count.

“The drop-in events are a chance for residents to speak directly to planning officers, ask questions and get support with responding before the consultation closes.”

The drop-in events will be held at:

• Monday, 21 September – Homelands Free Church, Garden Road, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8SJ, from 3pm to 7pm

• Thursday, 24 September – Brightlingsea Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea, CO7 0BP, from 3pm to 7pm

• Monday, 28 September – 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich, CO12 3ES, from 3pm to 7pm

• Wednesday, 30 September – Weeley Village Hall, Old Clacton Road, Weeley, CO16 9LW, from 12pm to 4pm

• Friday, 2 October – Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford, CO11 2JE, from 3pm to 7pm

Councillor Andy Baker, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said the drop-in events would help residents understand both the long-term importance of the Local Plan and how to take part in this final stage of consultation.

“The Local Plan will shape how Tendring grows over the coming decades, including where new homes, jobs, infrastructure and community facilities should go,” he said.

“This consultation is different from earlier stages, so these events are a chance for people to speak to planning officers face-to-face, look at what is being proposed and get help with making sure their comments are submitted in the right way.

“Only comments submitted during this final consultation will be considered by the independent Planning Inspector, so anyone who wants their views considered will need to respond again before the deadline, even if they commented earlier.”

After the consultation, the council intends to submit the Local Plan to the Secretary of State later this year for independent examination by a Planning Inspector.

To take part in the consultation, go to https://tendringdc.oc2.uk/document/72.