The public consultation on Uttlesford’s draft Local Plan finished last week and responses were received from about 1,200 respondents.

Residents, local businesses, interest groups, parish councils, developers and land owners all contributed to the consultation – which sought views on the amount of housing needed in the district up to 2031 and on the new proposed sites to accommodate an additional 2,680 homes.

Most of these responses are available on the council website with the remainder available in the next few weeks.

Officers at Uttlesford District Council are now analysing and summarising all of the responses received in order to prepare a report for councillors which will cover the issues raised and further recommendations. This report will be presented to a meeting of the Local Plan Working Group and made available on the website at the same time.

This information will then be used to update the Local Plan which will be subject to a pre-submission consultation in April/May.

The plan will then be formally submitted to an independent planning inspector appointed by the Government later in 2014. Following the examination of the plan by the Planning Inspectorate in October, the plan is expected to be formally adopted early in 2015.

Cllr Jim Ketteridge, leader of the district council, said: “I want to thank people for taking the time to submit their opinions and views on the Local Plan. I can assure you that all views will be considered as we update the plan.

“It is important that we plan for growth in ways that best meet the housing, employment, education and recreational needs within our district.

“Once adopted it will give the council a much stronger hand in deciding where planning applications should be approved or refused.”

The consultation was based around the amount of housing needed in the district up to 2031 and on the new proposed sites to accommodate the additional 2,680 homes: Ashdon Road Commercial Centre in Saffron Walden; land south of the Stortford Road in Great Dunmow; Helena Romanes School Site in Great Dunmow; and land to the north-east of Elsenham.

These new sites will provide homes, schools, surgeries, employment land and open space.

• All documents are available on the council website at uttlesford.gov.uk/developinguttlesford