The public are being invited to have their say on a 160 home development in Isleham.

A drop-in consultation will be held on October 24 at the Beeches, Mill Street, Isleham, between 4pm and 8pm. Those in attendance will have the chance to view and discuss plans with members of Bloor Homes, who are running the project. A planning application is expected to be submitted early next year.

Gary Duncan, planning director at Bloor Homes, said: “We are really looking forward to presenting our proposals to the community in Isleham and hearing their views.

“We are keen to understand the aspirations of the village and get their feedback. It is important to us that our final proposals are informed by the views and knowledge of the local community.”

The local plan will now progress to its final consultation stage, which is scheduled to begin early next month and end in December. In the New Year, it will then be considered by an independent inspector to decide whether the plan is suitable and if any changes are needed.

Approval to progress to the next stage of the local plan has allowed the council to declare that is has a five-year land supply, which means that potential developments on the edge of the district’s villages which are not in line with the local plan can be recommended for refusal.

Councillor Coralie Green said: “I’m really pleased we’ve got to this stage. The last couple of years have been difficult, because so many developers have taken advantage of a loop-hole in national policy, allowing them to submit speculative development across our district which we’ve found very hard to turn down.

“The local plan which is to be consulted upon will, I believe, meet both local and national aspirations for growth and prosperity, whilst protecting parts of the area we treasure most in the district. The plan also makes sure infrastructure, such as schools, play areas, affordable housing and road improvements, are provided alongside the growth.”