Villagers are creating neighbourhood plans in the hope they will give them a greater say over housing developments.

Parish councillors in Kelvedon and Feering will draw up the documents which must then be considered by Braintree Council when deciding on planning applications.

Kelvedon Parish Council chairman Craig Martin said: “The idea is that if you don’t do a neighbourhood plan then all the decisions about the number of proposals and locations will simply be made by Braintree.

“If you have a plan then the local authority is obliged to take it into account when dealing with planning applications.

“We are going to get some development, that is absolutely clear.

“It’s really all about being able to take a degree of control of when and where.”

Neighbourhood plans were introduced by the Government in 2011 to give small areas a greater say over planning issues.

In the Braintree district only the village of Cressing has produced one, while Feering is expected to be given the go-ahead for one at the end of the month.

A public meeting will be held at Feering Community Centre on Saturday, January 31 between 10am and midday.

Kelvedon Parish Council will hold a neighbourhood plan meeting on Saturday March 7 at The Institute.