Thousands of new homes proposed for the Braintree district could be included in a new development masterplan.

More than 50 new schemes have been suggested to be included in the district’s Local Plan after a summer-long consultation with residents.

Local Plans set out a vision and a framework for the future development of the area, addressing needs and opportunities in relation to housing, the economy, community facilities and infrastructure.

The sites put forward included land for at least 5,000 homes for north-west Coggeshall, along with 20 new builds suggested for the south of West Street, 55 on Westland Nurseries, and 100 to the north of it.

In 2014 Honywood Community Science School in Coggeshall, in partnership with Marks Hall Estate, wanted to create a new school building at the edge of the village and sell off its existing site for 300 homes and commercial development, but its proposal was rejected by Essex County Council because of concerns over financial viability.

People also suggested 200-250 houses in Queenborough Lane, Great Notley; 850 to the south-east of Halstead; and four affordable houses have been proposed for Hall Road in Mount Bures.

An unspecified number of homes is proposed for land to the west of Ryes Lane, Bulmer Tye, and on Church Road and Old Road in Wickham St Pauls.

The sites outlined are not included in the Local Plan, but were proposed by members of the public, landowners and developers for consideration.

They will now be considered by planning officers to see if they are viable, and should be added into the draft plan for further consultation.

John O’Reilly-Cicconi, of Greenstead Green Parish Council, near Halstead, said he did not want to comment on the suggestions until they become officially part of the Local Plan, but said as far as he is concerned the position of the parish council remains the same – they do not want new developments.

Jacqueline Pell, district councillor for Halstead Trinity, said: “It will still be too much for Halstead to cope with on top of what has already been agreed.”

Up to 95 homes might be put on the land south of Wethersfield Road, Finchingfield, and also 95 on land east of Finchingfield Road in Steeple Bumpstead.

Finchingfield parish councillor Jim Jervis said: “I am against it because I think we would be over-populated and we don’t have the infrastructure – like the surgery or to supply the school.”

There were 3,000 comments from 1,245 different people on the draft Local Plan which will now be reviewed and can all be seen on the district council’s website.

Officers will make a recommendation to the Local Plan committee based on their findings, after meetings on October 5, October 31, November 28, and December 15.

By February 2017 the draft Local Plan will have been considered again, while the public can make more suggestions before the final plan is submitted to an independent Planning Inspector.

The council hopes to adopt a plan, providing a blueprint for development until 2033, by early 2018.

Lady Patricia Newton, district councillor for housing and planning, said: “We are very pleased that so many people have engaged with the process and have taken their opportunity to have their say and help us deliver a strong draft plan.”

“Once we have the new Local Plan in place it will help set the direction for our future development giving us more power to stop inappropriate development.