Chelmsford City Council is set to consult on more housing sites after delays and Government changes to housing targets.
The council plans to add 11 new sites and expand three others, bringing 1,592 extra homes to the area by 2041.
This includes affordable and older persons housing.
The sites will help hit a Government-set target of 1,210 new homes a year across the district.
An additional 10,500sqm of employment space is also proposed.
The council said these sites were chosen because they can be delivered within five years.
Research found that local factors like school spaces, land features, and neighbouring use were considered.
The sites are in Central and Urban Chelmsford, North Chelmsford, and South and East Chelmsford, all areas with existing services and transport links.
Developers will be required to provide or pay for local infrastructure such as community centres, sports pitches or shops.
Policy changes are also proposed to housing and employment requirements and the spatial strategy.
Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council, said: “Chelmsford City Council is forced to identify extra sites for homes and jobs at this time.
“Government decisions and other factors outside our control mean the council can no longer meet the Government’s legal target for housebuilding.
“Without finding further sites in our Local Plan, we risk uncontrolled development, with houses getting permission in unsuitable places.”
Robinson added: “We have to identify sites that can be built out within the next five years and have capacity with facilities like schools.
“With that in mind, there are very few possible sites to consider.”
