GARDEN communities could be the best way forward to meet housing demand across the district.

Residents visited a public consultation over two days, exhibiting sites put forward for the draft Local Plan in Braintree.

They were not so keen on lots of smaller developments, but were encouraged by the idea of 'garden communities'.

William Saywood, from Panfield, said he hoped there were plans for infrastructure before houses are built.

He said: "The biggest concern we have is the rural villages becoming part of the towns and their identities would just be lost.

"Lots of little developments don't work- garden communities are a good idea, we only have to look at Great Notley.

"There is infrastructure and facilities- it's perfect."

Rob Lewer, who moved near Freeport a year ago, also showed an interest in 'garden communities' and their facilities.

He said: "We love Braintree, we just want to try to get more involved in the community.

"We need to know where the schools are as my wife is a secondary school teacher.

"The number of houses will have a massive impact on the A120- I do late shifts as it's easier for me to get back, but it would be good to have a variety of houses."

Barnard and Sandra Huxter, from Black Notley, were concerned their countryside view may be taken away in the future.

They said: "What we are worried about is putting all these houses in everywhere as the infrastructure is not there.

"Look at the A120 near Cressing, it's solid.

"Our garden goes onto open farm land and we don't want that to change."

Ron Ramage, district councillor, reassured residents that infrastructure would come first.

He said: "People are concerned in certain developments because of infrastructure and we have emphasised these plans are not set in stone.

"The feedback will go to the officers who will take that into consideration, this is just one of the phases.

"We as a council are under pressure from Government- people are saying 'I'm not having it in my back yard', which is a fair comment, but the houses have to go somewhere."

The 'garden communities' could be located to the west of Braintree, to the west of Colchester on the border with Braintree District and on the border of Colchester and Tendring.

The public consultation over July 13 and 14 at Braintree Town Hall.