PLANS to build thousands of homes on Harlow’s border moved a step closer on Thursday night.

The Epping Forest District Council cabinet supported recommendations asking Full Council on 18 October to endorse the plan for public consultation.

The plans include housing developments at Latton Priory, Sumners west and Katherines as well as developments near Thornwood and Hastingwood.

Councillor John Philip, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning assured fellow councillors that the document before them was for full consultation. The Council would listen and he was sure that there would be changes. However, to be persuasive, Councillor Philip said that arguments for change to the Plan had to be backed up with clear evidence.

The Leader of Epping Forest District Council, Councillor Chris Whitbread thanked Councillor Philip, his predecessor Councillor Richard Bassett and council staff for all the hard work that had gone into the draft.

Subject to the approval of Full Council, public consultation on the draft Local Plan will take place between 31 October and 12 December

The document currently details almost 100 sites considered suitable for housing, as the council has to identify locations for some 8,450 homes across the Epping Forest district.