The Council has regard to a large number of documents in the preparation of its Local Development Documents. These include some studies that were commissioned by the Council. The following documents contribute to the LDF evidence base and are available to download from this page:-______________________________________________________________________________

- East of England Plan The Revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England 
East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).  Approved by Secretary of State, published May 2008.

This document provides a regional framework to inform the preparation of Local Development Documents, which must be in general conformity with the RSS.  A ministerial statement published on 27th May 2010 announced the Government's intention to rapidly abolish Regional Strategies.


- One District One Vision.  A Strategy for People and Places in the Braintree District to 2026 - Sustainable Community Strategy
Braintree District Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and Braintree District Council, June 2009.

This sets out the sustainable community strategy for Braintree District.

- Equalities Impact Assessment for the Draft Strategy for People and Places in Braintree District to 2025. Braintree District Council 2009 (report to LDF Panel of 3rd February for approval, agenda item 12)

This assesses the LDF strategy and policies and determines if there is any adverse impact, or illegal discrimination, or any unmet need or requirements.
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HOUSING

- Urban Capacity Study
Llewelyn Davies Yeang in association with Atisreal, October 2007.

This study establishes the potential for accommodating new housing in the built-up areas of the District over the period 2006 to 2026.

- Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) (draft)
Braintree District Council, 2009

This study identifies sites with development potential for housing and assesses their develop ability, deliverability and capacity.

- Strategic Housing Market Assessment(SHMA)
Fordham Research, February 2008 (jointly commissioned by Chelmsford, Braintree and Colchester.)
- SHMA Update April 2009
Braintree District Council

This study looks at the housing market in Braintree and north-east Essex and assesses current and future housing needs, including the need for affordable housing.

- Affordable Housing Provision and Developer Contributions in the District of Braintree. Three Dragons, October 2009 (draft)

An affordable housing viability study, which assesses the viability of market schemes against a range of affordable housing options and economic scenarios.

- Accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Show-people in the East of England. A Revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England
July 2009

This forms part of the strategic planning framework for the East of England and provides strategic guidance for local authorities.

- Essex Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2009
Fordham Research, November 2009

This study assessed and quantified the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Show-people in Essex.
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ECONOMY

- Mid Essex Economic Futures
University of the West of England, March 2006

This study provided an appraisal of the local economy and an assessment of the future economic outlook and covered the local authorities of Braintree, Chelmsford, Maldon and Brentwood.

- Going for Growth, Investing in Your Future. Economic Development Strategy
Braintree District Council, June 2009

This provides a shared vision and action plan for the economic development of Braintree District.

- Braintree District Futures 2025
Cambridge Econometrics and SQW, October 2006

An analysis to help develop policies to achieve a better balance between employment and population growth in the future.  This report presented an overview of the current position of Braintree and three visions for the District to 2025.

- Employment Land Review
Llewelyn Davies Yeang, in association with Michael Beaman Ltd., November 2007

This provides a survey of existing and potential land and premises for office, industrial and warehouse uses and analyses supply, demand and land requirements from 2006-2026.

- Rural Services Survey 2008
Braintree District Council

This establishes the number of settlements with and without key services and which rural villages are considered to be service centres.
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RETAIL AND TOWN CENTRE

- The North Essex Authority Retail Study Stage 1 Report: Strategic Overview
GVA Grimley, 2006

This study covers Braintree, Colchester, Maldon and Tendring.  It identifies a strategy for the future scale and form of new development and distribution of growth, advising on the role of each centre within the retail hierarchy and potential for change.

- Retail Study Stage 2 Report 
- Retail Study 2006 - APPENDIX 1 - Customer Views and Behaviour
- Retail Study 2006 - APPENDIX 2 - Retailer Requirements
- Retail Study 2006 - APPENDIX 3 - Town Centre Survey Results
- Retail Study 2006 - APPENDIX 4 - Factory Outlet Results
Braintree District Council GVA Grimley, 2006

This study develops the findings in Stage 1 further, focuses on local issues and sets out the detailed technical analysis and sets out recommendations for each authority.

- Braintree Town Centre Preliminary Development Analysis Report
Cushman and Wakefield, April 2009

A preliminary assessment of the scope of Braintree town centre to accommodate new development over the LDF plan period, for town centre uses, in particular comparison retail floorspace.

- Retail Study Update
Cushman and Wakefield, April 2010
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TRANSPORT

- Local Transport Plan 2006-2011
Essex County Council, 2005

This identifies wide-reaching schemes to improve the transport network for the whole of the county.

- Assessment of Impact of Potential LDF Sites on Existing Junctions - Braintree and Witham LDF Allocations
Mouchel, July 2008

This study was produced for Braintree District Council, the Highways Agency and Essex County Council.  It assesses the impact of LDF sites on junctions in the locality.

- Assessment of Impact of Potential Core Strategy Sites on Existing Junctions
Mouchel, April 2010

An update of the assessments to ascertain the impact of the preferred development sites in combination on the road network and to identify measures to mitigate their impact.

- Parking Standards: Design and Good Practice Guidance
Essex Planning Officers Association/Essex County Council, September 2009
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ENVIRONMENT

- Mid Essex Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester and Maldon
Scott Wilson, October 2007 

An assessment of flood risk issues to inform the spatial planning process.

- Braintree District, Haverhill and Clare Water Cycle Study
Entec, November 2008

This identifies whether there are any water related issues that present significant obstacles to development identified in the Core Strategy.

- Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Maldon and Uttlesford Landscape Character Assessment
Chris Blandford Associates, September 2006

A baseline inventory of the landscape character of these five local authorities.

- Landscape Character Settlement Fringe Studies of Braintree, Coggeshall, Earls Colne, Halstead, Hatfield Peverel, Kelvedon, Silver End and Witham
Chris Blandford Associates, November 2007

Further landscape character assessments of the areas surrounding these settlements.

- Habitat Regulation Assessment
Royal Haskoning, 2009
-  Amendment to Habitat Regulation Assessment Amendment
Braintree District Council, November 2009

An assessment of the effects of the development proposed in the Core Strategy upon European Sites.

- Suitable Accessible Natural Greenspace (SANG) Report
Braintree District Council, April 2010

This report accompanies the Habitat Regulation Assessment. SANGs are intended to provide mitigation from the potential impact of residential development on Special Protection Areas.

- Braintree Green Spaces Strategy
Braintree District Council, 2008

This sets local standards for the quality, quantity and accessibility of open space in the District and identifies specific needs, surpluses or deficiencies.  The Strategy draws on the results of the Open Space Audit (2006.)

- Open Space Supplementary Planning Document
- Open Space SPD Sustainability Appraisal
Braintree District Council, 2009 (effective 1st April 2010)

The document sets out the process and mechanisms for the delivery and improvement of open space in Braintree District. The SPD expands upon and provides further details on the interpretation of Braintree District Local Plan Review Policies RLP 138 Provision of Open Space in New Housing Developments and RLP 163 Infrastructure and Community Facilities.

- Essex Biodiversity Plan
Essex Biodiversity Project, 1999

Updated 26/08/2010