Local Plan Update - Essex
A D P regularly provides planning consultancy and architectural services throughout Essex.
Our planning consultants are very experienced at promoting sites and land throughout the county through the development plan process and we have an excellent track record in successfully securing site allocations.
The development plan process in Essex is evolving quickly, and there will be several opportunities in the coming year to put sites and land forward as potential land allocations or continue to promote existing ones.
We have set out below a brief summary of where each of the local planning authorities is at in terms of development plan production.
North Essex Authorities (Braintree, Colchester and Tendring)
The North Essex local planning authorities of Braintree, Colchester and Tendring have prepared a shared strategic Local Plan (Part 1). This plan sets out the strategic growth requirements for the area, with the inclusion of three new garden communities embedded into the strategy.This plan is currently subject to an Examination in Public, which has been delayed following comments made by the Planning Inspector. Following the supply of further evidence to underpin the proposed strategy, further hearings will now be held from the 14th to the 30th January 2020.
Colchester
Section 2 of the new Colchester Local Plan sets out the detailed planning policies and site allocations for Colchester Borough. The examination into Section 2 will commence following the examination of Section 1 of the Local Plan.The Boxted Neighbourhood Plan (2016) and Myland and Braiswick Neighbourhood Plan (2016) have been ‘made’ by Colchester Borough Council. The following parish and town councils are also preparing Neighbourhood Plans: Copford with Easthorpe; Eight Ash Green; Great Tey; Marks Tey; Messing; Stanway; Tiptree; West Bergholt; West Mersea; and Wivenhoe.
Braintree
Section 2 of the new Braintree Local Plan sets out the detailed planning policies and site allocations for Colchester Borough. The examination into Section 2 will commence following the examination of Section 1 of the Local Plan.The Hatfield Peverel Neighbourhood plan (2019) and Bradwell with Pattiswick Neighbourhood Plan (2019) have been ‘made’ by Braintree District Council. The following parish and town councils are also preparing Neighbourhood Plans: Coggeshall; Cressing; Feering; Kelvedon; the Sailings; Great Yeldham; Stisted; Steeple Bumpstead; Earls Colne, Great Bardfield; and Toppesfield.
Tendring
Section 2 of the new Tendring Local Plan sets out the detailed planning policies and site allocations for Colchester Borough. The examination into Section 2 will commence following the examination of Section 1 of the Local Plan.Alresford Parish Council is preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.
Uttlesford
Uttlesford’s new Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for examination on 18th January 2019 and hearings commenced on 2nd July 2019. In October 2019, the Council submitted further documentation that addressed points raised during the hearings. It is anticipated that the hearings will reconvene in early 2020.The Great Dunmow Neighbourhood Plan (2016) and Thaxted Neighbourhood Plan (2019) have been ‘made’ by Uttlesford District Council. The following parish and town councils are also preparing Neighbourhood Plans: Ashden; Felsted; Great and Little Chesterford; Newport and Quendon; Radwinter; Saffron Walden; Stansted Mountfitchet; and Stebbing.
Chelmsford
The hearings associated with the Chelmsford Local Plan ended in December 2018. The Inspector found the plan to be sound, subject to Main Modifications. The Council published a schedule of the main modifications for consultation in August to September 2019. This consultation has now closed and the Inspector is reviewing the responses. It is anticipated that the Chelmsford Local Plan will be adopted in early 2020.The following parish and town councils are currently preparing Neighbourhood Plans: Boreham; Broomfield; Danbury; East Hanningfield; Little Baddow; Sandon; South Woodham Ferrers; and Writtle.
Maldon
The Maldon District Local Development Plan was adopted in 2017. The Maldon Local Development Plan is being monitored and it is currently anticipated that by July 2022, the Council will complete an assessment to identify whether a full or partial review is required.The Burnham-on-Crouch Neighbourhood Development Plan was ‘made’ by Maldon District Council in September 2017 and now forms part of the development plan. The following parishes are also preparing Neighbourhood Plans: Althorne; Great Totham; Langford and Ulting; Mayland; Tollesbury; and Wickham Bishops.
Epping Forest
The new Local Plan has been subject to the examination hearings, which closed in June 2019. The Inspector has since suggested a number of main modifications to the emerging allocations. In early 2020, the Council has provided further clarification and response to these suggestions. A further consultation is likely in 2020.
Harlow
The examination into the Local Plan is ongoing. The Council has published a letter responding to the Inspector regarding the suggested Main Modifications to the Local Plan. The examination will continue to proceed in 2020.
South Essex Joint Strategic Plan
A new Joint Strategic Plan for South Essex, which covers Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock councils is currently being prepared. Draft documents are being prepared and it is intended that the document will be submitted for examination in 2020.The Joint Strategic Plan will set out the strategic spatial strategy for the area for the period up until 2050. A Statement of Common Ground was published in June 2019. Section 6 of this document sets out the ‘South Essex Strategic Areas of Opportunity’, which include:
The River Thames and Thames Estuary
London Southend Airport and surrounding area
The A127 transport corridor
Crossrail connectivity / A12 / A129
Lower Thames Crossing, Thurrock Thameside and A13 Corridor
Basildon
The new Basildon Local Plan was submitted for examination in March 2019. The examination has been paused to consider a direction issued by the Minister for the Environment regarding the need for air quality improvements. The examination is expected to reconvene in early 2020.
Brentwood
The pre-submission Brentwood Local Development Plan was recently been subject to a further consultation, titled ‘Consultation on the Addendum of Focused Changes to the Pre-Submission Local Plan (Regulation 19, February 2019)’. This consultation closed on Tuesday 26 November 2019. The changes to the Pre-Submission Local Plan focused on adjustments to the spatial strategy, including changes to development capacities for individual sites and delivery timescales. The Brentwood Local Development Plan is now expected to be submitted for examination in early 2020.
Thurrock
The council consulted on the’ Local Plan Issues and Option (Stage 2)’, which closed in March 2019. Further consultations are anticipated in 2020.
Castle Point
In 2018, the Council decided to not proceed with a proposed Pre-Publication Draft (Regulation 19) Local Plan. A new Pre-Submission Castle Point Local Plan is being consulted on. The consultation will run from Monday 16 December 2019 to Friday 14 February 2020.
Southend-on-Sea
A Local Plan Issues and Options consultation closed on 2 April 2019. A Preferred Options draft is expected in early 2020, with consultation on a final draft due in late 2020. The Plan is due to be submitted for Examination by Summer 2021.
Rochford
Rochford have begun preparing a new Local Plan. A Preferred Options document is expected to be published for consultation purposes in 2020.
Local Plan Site and Land Promotion
If you would like expert advice on the best way to promote your site through the development plan process, please contact us at mail@adpltd.co.uk.