PEOPLE can have their say on where homes will be built in Basildon when the council takes its Local Plan to consultation with a five-day roadshow.

The Tory administration’s proposals to bring 12,500 homes to the area between now and 2031, many in the green belt, have been met with opposition.

Councillors have written to every household putting their case for using the green belt. People can also have their say online or in writing, with a public consultation for eight weeks from January 20.

The plan outlines which areas should be earmarked for housing and where the council hopes to create 8,600 jobs over the next 17 years.

The consultation will be posted online on January 20 at www.

basildon.gov.uk People can also call the authority’s planning department on 01268 294868, or e-mail ldf@basildon.gov.uk People can have their say at The Place, Northlands Pavement, Pitsea, on Monday January 27, from 1pm 8pm and at the Reading Rooms, High Street, Billericay, on Thursday, February 6, from 1.30pm to 8pm and Saturday, February 8, from 10am to 4pm.

Wickford sessions will be at Bar Plazma, in the High Street, on Tuesday, February 11, from 1pm to 8pm and Saturday, February 15, from 10am to 4pm.

Basildon meetings will be in the Eastgate Shopping Centre, near Starbucks, on Wednesday, February 19, from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday, February 22, from 10am to 5pm. Laindon sessions will be in Laindon Community Centre on Friday, February 28, from 1pm to 8pm.