RESIDENTS in the Vale of White Horse District Council area are being given the chance to tell planners where new homes should be built.

The council has launched a consultation on a draft of its Local Plan, setting out sites for housing developments until 2029.

The Local Plan looks to address the current housing shortfall in the district.

Mike Murray, cabinet member for planning policy, said the consultation provided a key chance for people to share their views.

The move comes after the council was criticised last year for suggesting it would relax rules to allow more building in villages to catch up on a housing shortfall of about 1,000 homes.

The proposal was abandoned soon after developers identified schemes for about 5,000 homes on 146 sites.

Mr Murray said: “This is an important opportunity for people to have an early look at the Local Plan and make sure we’re heading in the right direction.

“It’s so important that we get this right from the start, so we want everybody to have their say now.”

The consultation is being launched on Thursday, February 28.

People can register to receive regular updates by e-mailing SUBSCRIBE to localplan@whitehorsedc.gov.uk.