More than 11,000 new homes are needed in Epping Forest between 2011 and 2033, it has been revealed.

The figure, which councillors have claimed is not a target but an ‘objective need’, has been released by Epping Forest District Council as part of a report on housing in the district and beyond.

Along with East Hertfordshire, Harlow and Uttlesford, Epping Forest forms part of a ‘strategic housing market area’ (SHMA) which needs a total of 46,100 new homes between 2011 and 2033.

The council will consider the need for 11,300 homes alongside the constraints of the area, which is more than 90 per cent green belt land.

Negotiations could lead to surrounding districts taking relatively larger amounts of new properties.

Councillor Richard Bassett said: “These figures should not be portrayed as the final figures for our housing requirement.

“Further work will need to be done to assess the constraints within the district - green belt land, flood zones and of course Epping Forest itself.

“Having done this, it may prove necessary to negotiate with our partnering authorities to identify locations across the SHMA that have the greatest ability to accommodate growth.”

A housing target will ultimately become part of a new local plan, which will dictate how decisions are made on new developments.

The issue will be discussed at a council meeting next Thursday (October 8).

The meeting, at the civic offices in Epping, is open to the public and will be streamed online at http://www.eppingforestdc.public-i.tv/core/portal/home.