23rd April 2012 - Increase in Public Open Space Contributions.
Applications submitted after 1st April 2012 will be subject to increased Public Open Space Contributions, which have been index linked based on the change in RPI for the previous 12 month period.
Link to Open Spaces Contribution Web Page

22nd March 2012 - Increase in Pre-Application Fees
Fees will increase by 5.2% in line with inflation, from 1st April 2012.

Development Type                Letter                       Meeting
Major Development               £253                         £400
Minor Development               £105                        £258 (1 hour)   £137 (30 mins)
Householder                          £53                          £137 (30 mins)
Listed Building Works           £105                         £158 (1 hour)

22nd March - Change to Area Teams
From 1st April the three Area Development Managers will move teams, as follows:-
Fiona Bradley - Halstead Area Manager
Adam Davies - Witham Area Manager
Darren Roberts - Braintree Area Manager

12th January 2012 - Mobile Operators Annual Rollout Plan
Click on the link below to view the 2011/12 rollout plans for the UK mobile phone network operators 3, O2, Vodafone and Everything Everywhere (T-Mobile and Orange).
-  Link to Telecommunication Page

12th January 2012 - National Grid Bramford to Twinstead Tee Connection Project
In July 2011 National Grid announced its preferred corridor for a proposed 400,000 volt power connection between Bramford (near Ipswich) and Twinstead Tee (south of Sudbury). National Grid are currently consulting (stage 2 consultation) on detailed connection design including screening and mitigation measures along the chosen preferred corridor and preferred siting for a new substation west of Twinstead Tee. For further details follow this link to the National Grid Bramford to Twinstead Tee webpage 

10th January 2012 - New Permitted Development Rights
On 1 December 2011 new permitted development rights for householders to install micro wind turbines and air source heat pumps on their premises came into force.
Link to Planning Portal Page - Air Source Heat Pumps

Link to Planning Portal Page - Micro wind turbines

10th October 2011 - Core Strategy
On 19th September the Core Strategy was approved by members at Committee. Please note the revision to RLP5. Core Strategy Policy CS2 requires sites in rural areas (excluding  Sible Hedingham, Great Notley and the proposed growth location in Rivenhall) to have 40% affordable housing provision will be required for schemes of 5 or more dwellings or 0.16ha site area. This policy will be applied to all applications determined after 31st October 2011.
Link to Core Strategy web page

12th September 2011 - Increase in the S106 Monitoring Fees
The S106 monitoring fee has increased from £105 to £255 for all applications validated after 1st September 2011.

7th June 2011 - Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
Follow this link to the new page about  Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA's) and the EIA register.

1st April 2011 - Pre-Application Charging
There will be a fee of £50 for Householder pre-application enquiries and £100 for Listed Building enquiries (plus £50 per hour for meetings on site).  For further details follow this link to Pre-Application Advice

1st April 2011 - Area Planning Surgeries
The Planning Surgeries in Halstead, Witham and Braintree will stop. For any enquiries regarding whether planning permission is required or help with filling in application forms please see the Duty Planner or to discuss a proposal prior to the formal of submission of an application please apply for Pre-Applcation Advice.

14th Feb 2011 - Site Notices
All Site Notices will now be posted on site by the Case Officer and not sent to the applicant / agent for them to display. Furthermore, all notices will be orange - previously site notices relating to listed buildings or Conservation Areas were pink.
Link to Planning Application Process / Publicity Web Page

12th Jan 2011 - Enforcement Appeal
An appeal has been made against the serving of an enforcement notice concerning the use of land for residential caravans on land adjacent to The Compasses, Compasses Road, Pattiswick. Any comments on the appeal need be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN by 3rd February 2011 quoting reference number APP/Z/1510/C/10/2143344. For further information please contact Brian Taplin, Enforcement  Manager on 01376 552525 extension 2528.  
Link to Appeal Documents

12th Jan 2011 - Rickstones Neighbourhood Centre, Witham
The Council has adopted, as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), the plans for the possible redevelopment of Rickstones Pavillion and surrounding area.
Follow this link to the Planning Policy SPD Web Page

Jan 2011 - Validation Checklist
The Validation Checklist has been updated and is now in a simple-to-use table. 
Local Validation Checklist

Jan 2011 - Development Management
On 1st January 2011 Development Control was renamed Development Management.

9th June 2010 - Revised Planning Policy Statement 3 "Housing" (PPS3)
- Chief Planning Officer's Letter
- PPS3

1st April 2010 - Open Space Contribution for new housing and commercial development over 1,000 sq m
- Link to Open Space Contributions Web Page
- Open Space SPD

1st April 2010 - Charges for Pre-application Advice for all enquiries (except householder, permitted development enquiries and listed building proposals)
- Link to Pre-Application Advice Web page 
- Application Form