As part of the work on the new local development framework, the District the Council has commissioned a number of studies to provide information to assist in the future planning of the District.  A number of studies have been completed and work is underway on others.  These will all contribute to the evidence base for the LDF: -

- Braintree District Futures 2025 Final Report
Recent years have seen strong population growth in Braintree district, far in excess of the increase in local employment opportunities. Cambridge Econometrics and SQW were commissioned by Braintree District Council to provide an analysis that will help develop policies which will achieve a better balance between employment and population growth in the future.  This report presents an overview of the current position of Braintree and three visions for the district to 2025.

- Essex-Wide Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment 2006
- Essex-Wide Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment - Executive Summary
An Essex-wide study on gypsy and traveller accomodation was commissioned by the Essex Planning Officers Association, in order to assist Essex authorities to determine the appropriate number of gypsy and traveller pitches to be provided in Essex.  This study, entitled 'Looking Back, Moving Forward', was published in February 2006 by the University of Salford.

The East of England Regional Assembly commissioned separate consultants led by Pat Niner of the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, University of Birmingham to examine the work that had been carried out for each County in the region and to advise on pitch requirments.
- Preparing Regional Spatial Strategy reviews on Gypsies and Travellers by regional planning bodies, March 2007

These two reports  identified significantly different pitch requirements for Essex.  Richard Forham Associates were therefore appointed to identify the reasons for this variation in requirements and to review the formulas and produce a more robust formula that could be applied to Essex.
- Review of Essex Gypsy and Traveller pitch requirement figures. Draft Report July 2007

The Fordham Study has informed the response by Braintree District Council to the EERA Consultation on Gyspy and Traveller Accomodation, referred to under Regional Strategy.

- The North Essex Authority Retail Study Stage 1 Report: Strategic Overview carried out by GVA Grimley
- Retail Study Stage 2 Report 2006 carried out by GVA Grimley
- 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, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Maldon and Uttlesford Landscape Character Assessment - September 2006
The study carried out by Chris Blandford Associates covers the District at a scale of 1:25,000.
- Braintree Settlement Fringe Study
The study, also carried out by Chris Blandford Associates, provides extra information on the Landscape Character Assessment.

- Mid Essex Economic Futures
In October 2005, Braintree, Chelmsford, Maldon and Brentwood Councils retained the University of the West of England to undertake an appraisal of the local economy and provide an assessment of the future out look.

- PPG17 Open Space Audit/ Green Spaces Strategy - This is an assessment of the quantity and quality of open space in the District and a Strategy drawing on the results of the audit.  A consultant has been appointed to undertake this work in-house and work is underway.

Flood Risk Assessment - Scott Wilson, jointly appointed by Braintree, Chelmsford, Maldon and Colchester Councils, have prepared a Scoping Report as the first stage of preparation of a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.  Work has started on the second stage looking in more detail at individual Districts.

- Strategic Housing Market Assessment and Housing Needs Study (Please note that this document may take a few minutes to download) -Richard Fordham Associates were appointed jointly by Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester Councils to prepare a new housing needs study and strategic housing market assessment.

- Urban Capacity Study(2007) - Llewelyn Davies Yeang have prepared a new Urban Capacity Study for Braintree District Council in 2007.

- Employment Land Review - This study was prepared on behalf of Braintree District Council, in November 2007, by Llewelyn Davies Yeang, in association with Michael Beaman Ltd.

The responses to the Core Strategy and Review of Community Strategy Issues and Options Document have identified the need for additional studies, in particular a highways and transportation study and a strategic housing land availability assessment.  We are having discussions with the Highways Agency and Essex County Council on how to proceed with a highways and transportation study.  It may be possible to extend the work being carried out on the urban capacity study to convert this into a strategic housing land availability assessment.