A WEBSITE asking residents to help shape plans for a 9,000 home new town on the border of Colchester and Tendring has been launched.

The website encourages communities and stakeholders to share ideas for the new town, which will be built between Greenstead and Elmstead Market.

Colchester, Tendring and Essex councils are working collectively on the plans and are drawing up a development plan document for the new town.

This document will create a vision for the town, allocate land uses and detail core policies which will help determine future planning applications.

Colchester Council’s business boss David King, who represents the authority on the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Member Group, said: “The Tendring Colchester Borders project is an ambitious and challenging one, to provide a place to live of quality, meeting the needs of residents now and in the future.

“Success requires the community to share their ideas and hopes for this garden community, via the website. No idea is too small or too big.

Engagement - Colchester Councils business boss David King has urged residents to engage in the process

Engagement - Colchester Council's business boss David King has urged residents to engage in the process

“You don’t have to be an expert but we need people to think ahead about what’s important for a good quality of life.

“This is a chance to have a real influence on the lives of our future generations.”

The new town will eventually have 9,000 homes, with section one of the plan, which has now been officially adopted, setting out the strategic direction for housing growth in the area through to 2033.

Visit talk.tcbgardencommunity.co.uk.

Anyone who does not have internet access can write to Freepost TCB GC with their name and address, to stay in touch by post.