RESIDENTS are urging councillors and MPs to put party politics aside and put together a Local Plan as quickly as possible to prevent developers from tearing up Tendring.

Tendring Council’s new Local Plan – the blueprint for development across the district – was due to be published in 2012.

But it is now not expected until 2016, leaving the district open to speculative developments.

Tendring Council said it would have to include 12,000 homes in its new Local Plan – until 2031 – but new evidence has suggested only 10,000 would be needed.

Frinton Residents’ Association has now called on politicians to put party politics aside to work towards achieving an approved Local Plan as soon as possible.

Neil Churcher, chairman of the association, said: “It does not matter if it includes 10,000, or 12,000 new homes in Tendring – or however many the Government Inspectors stipulate – we need agreement on the Local Plan now to stop our towns, villages and countryside being destroyed by developers who are taking advantage of the current situation.

“With no Local Plan in place, more and more homes are being built on the basis of planning applications that have been refused by Tendring Council because they do not meet even minimum requirements.

“The legacy that this will leave in its wake does not even bear thinking about.”

Mr Churcher has written to Clacton MP Douglas Carswell, all candidates at the General Election, as well as council leader Neil Stock, deputy leader Carlo Guglielmi and head of planning Catherine Bicknell.

Mr Carswell has backed plans for an “umbrella group” to campaign against overdevelopment.

“To make sure Tendring Council listens, we need an umbrella group that brings together campaigners from across the district,” he said.

“The council has been so slow in putting a Local Plan in place. There is now a danger of a development free-for-all.

“We need a plan in place, but one built to meet local needs."