Welcome to the Development Services section of the website.

The Development Control Service seeks to ensure that:  land and buildings in the District are used in a way that is best for the whole community; pressures for change do as little harm to local amenity and as much good as possible to the environment; and local people have a say in what happens around them.

Most new buildings, as well as changes in the uses of land and buildings need planning permission from the District Council.  Our job is to provide the right balance between encouraging development, which provides homes, jobs, services and a better living environment for the community and protecting the character of our towns, villages and countryside.

In reaching a decision on a planning application, the Council always takes into account the views of those people who are likely to be affected by the development.  However, we can usually only refuse permission where it is clear that the proposal would be contrary to the policies laid down in the Development Plan and/or damage the environment or the quality of life of local people to an unacceptable degree.

Please use the menu on the left hand side of this page to navigate this area of the website.  We hope that the menu options will help you to find what you are looking for.  However, if you have any comments, or suggestions on how to improve this area of the website, please e-mail us at planning@braintree.gov.uk

The latest news from the Development Control Service, updates on new legislation and progress on the major applications for the District are now published online.  This information may be of particular interest to individuals, organisations, planning agents and architects who regularly visit our website.  Please click here for the Latest News.