RESIDENTS across Worcestershire are being told to make their voices heard about the proposed number of homes the Government wants to build in the area over the next 20 years.

County Councillor Tom Wells thinks arbitrary figures are being forced upon the county and that people need to speak up in opposition before it is too late.

Coun Wells also said he thought radical proposals to build a new 10,000 home eco-town roughly the same size as Evesham was a "ludicrous" idea.

That is just one of a number of options being considered as a part of a new consultation paper due to be released to the public in November.

Local planners are under pressure from the Government to find locations to build up to 32,200 new homes in and around Worcester, Wychavon and Malvern Hills.

As a result, officers from all three districts are working together as a part of the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy (SWJCS) to think up solutions.

However, Coun Wells, who represents Powick and is a member of the Liberal Democrats, said: "Worcestershire is a wonderful place to live and we have a duty to ensure future generations can say the same.

"Our local countryside is very special and should not be traded for soulless satellite estates surrounding the city of Worcester.

"The option for a new town is ludicrous and should be abandoned immediately. Instead we should be looking to develop brownfield sites across the county and the provision of affordable housing should be our priority. We should be providing for our own future housing needs rather than serving the wider west Midlands conurbation. It's time for the people of Worcestershire to speak up."

The number of homes and where they will be built has not yet been decided but other options include building on the edge of Worcester, on the edge of towns and villages like Malvern, Droitwich, Tenbury Wells, Upton-upon-Severn, Fernhill Heath and Hanbury, or on Green Belt land.

Meanwhile residents are being encouraged to put forward their ideas for how the county can accommodate the extra homes.

However, Coun Wells said he thought the consultation process, which will last six weeks, is not long enough for the public to make informed decisions.

"I fear we are being led by the nose in pursuing these options when we should take time to properly engage the public about meeting Worcestershire's future housing needs rather than that of the wider west Midlands," he said.

HAVE YOUR SAY JOIN the debate and have your say on how many homes should be built in Worcestershire and where. The period for public consultation starts on Monday, November 5 and runs for six weeks. Comments and views should be submitted using the issues and options consultation document and questionnaire by Friday, December 14.

To obtain your copy call 01905 722233, e-mail contact@swjcs.org or visit the SWJCS website at www.swjcs.org