HUNDREDS of new homes could be built in Newhaven over the next 20 years.

A plan for the town has outlined 830 new houses to be built between 2010 and 2030 – and some 12,000 residents are being asked to have their say.

Since April 2012 local communities have been given the power to produce neighbourhood plans for their local areas by the Government.

With the plans communities are able to put policies in place for the future development and growth of their towns and villages.

Maria Caulfield, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Newhaven, is concerned about the “lack of engagement” from residents in the town and is worried that the scheme is turning into a “vehicle for building more housing”.

She said: “I recently attended one of the public meetings on the neighbourhood plan and it was very poorly attended by local people.

“Most people in the town who I have spoken to since were unaware that the event was taking place, or the significance of the neighbourhood plan.

“Most people I speak to feel the focus on regenerating the town is on house building and what people want is businesses to be encouraged and local jobs created.”

If adopted, the plan will form the blueprint for the development of the town for the next 15 years.

Before it is agreed, the council will hold a referendum that will ask all residents to vote on the plans.

Newhaven town councillor and mayor Judith Ost said no sites had yet been identified for any potential new homes.

She said: “We don’t have much choice about the homes being built as that’s what Lewes District Council has decided.

“It also cited Harbour Heights as a potential site for the homes, but we want other options because Harbour Heights isn’t to peoples’ liking.”

When asked about a lack of public engagement, Coun Ost said: “We’ve not had as much as we’d have liked but we’ve got focus groups planned and have every intention of doing more consultations over Christmas.”