There is just one week left to comment on options for the Joint Local Plan, which could see villages expanded into the green belt or more high rise buildings as South Bucks and Chiltern district council’s prepare to make way for more than 15,000 houses over the next 20 years.

Under pressure to meet growing housing needs, both councils agreed to prepare a joint plan and started an eight-week public consultation to get residents’ input on the available options on January 19.

The councils are ‘testing’ options to meet these demands and are asking residents their thoughts.

Some of the options mentioned in the plan includes the possible expansion of towns and villages including Chesham, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Chalfont St Peter and Gerrards Cross, while built-up areas in the green belt close to train stations could also be looked at to provide more housing, like Great Missenden, Seer Green and Iver.

A number of meetings to explain the situation to residents across both districts have been held before the consultation finishes on March 14 at 5pm.

Cllr Nick Naylor, South Bucks District Council's portfolio holder for sustainable development, said lots of residents have already given their views, but they still need “as much input from people as possible.”

He said: "So far, people have responded energetically to our consultation, but we are positively encouraging everyone to have their say - youngsters who will inherit the legacy of decisions made now, adults whose needs will change significantly in the next 20 years, community groups, businesses and landowners.”

The findings from this will help inform the next stage of the Joint Local Plan process and in October or November this year, residents will be asked once more to respond to a Preferred Options consultation.

A draft Plan will then be put to the public in early 2017 for final feedback, ready for submission late next year.

Cllr Peter Martin, Chiltern District Council's cabinet member for sustainable development, said it is “imperative” that the Joint Local Plan is “future-proof, robust and withstands scrutiny.”

He said: "This is the first stage - the foundations of the plan, if you like, and we need public input to ensure those foundations are sturdy. We are asking a lot from our residents, but only because developing a strong Local Plan is so critical to our communities' futures."

Visit http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/planning/localplan2014-2036 to view the full documents.