Plans that will dramatically shape the future of Ongar will go on show for the first time on Friday.

While Epping Forest District Council's Local Plan decides where 11,400 homes will be built by 2033, Ongar's Neighbourhood Plan can tweak how those developments destined for the town are planned.

As well as 163 homes planned for north of Chelmsford Road, a key point of Ongar's allocation is the 135 homes proposed for Bowes Field.

For decades the land was a sports field belonging to Great Stony School, which allowed townsfolk to use it for fetes.

When the school closed in the late 1990s however, the asset became largely out of bound for Ongar residents.

Mary Dadd, chairman of the Ongar Neighbourhood Plan Community Group (ONCPG) said: "That particular site is probably the most unpopular. It is quite controversial.

"Ongar residents feel they have lost an amenity of local value and those houses backing on to the field are due to lose their open views too.

"As far as we are aware the developers are in the very early stages of planning design.

"We are hoping to be able to have discussions with them in the near future to see how any concerns our residents can be resolved."

The group is not looking to stop developments outlined in the Local Plan, but to shape them so the town retains its "distinctive character".

This will involve pushing for an appropriate mix of houses, pedestrian routes and green spaces.

Dean Walton, vice-chairman of the ONCPG, said: "At the exhibition, we are looking at the detail for policies that are needed for Ongar to grow in a way that not only protects and conserves what is best in our neighbourhood, but also enhance the values and the environment that we hold dear.

"Of particular interest to me is the development of the visitor economy in Ongar."

The exhibition runs from 2pm to 8pm on October 12 and 9am to 1pm on October 13 at Budworth Hall, Ongar.