Prosperity
Prosperity
To create a district of opportunity – a place where our communities can thrive, our people prosper andour environment is cherished for all to enjoy.
Priority 1
Ensure district growth is sustainable and accessible with strong connectivity and infrastructure.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Deliver physical improvements to Halstead and Witham Town Centres | Providing enhanced urban environments with diverse community appeal through improved signage, wayfinding, and street furniture. | September 2025 |
| Support the development and adoption of Neighbourhood Plans in Earls Colne, Wethersfield and Finchingfield and Bures/Bures St Mary’s. | Enabling communities to play a role in shaping their areas. Neighbourhood Plans used in the determination of planning applications. |
March 2026 |
| Develop a design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) | Support planning policies by providing detailed guidance to ensure the future development of the district is of the highest design standards. | December 2026 |
Priority 2
Attract and support business growth, providing high quality employment opportunities in high growth sectors and industries.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Build on inward investment activity through the North Essex Economic Board to create an action plan for Braintree | Attract new businesses and grow existing businesses. Bring new and better jobs into the district. |
March 2026 |
| Complete the final infrastructure delivery elements of Horizon 120 by removing excess soil. | Final plots are levelled and prepared for sale and development to offer new employment sites | September 2025 |
| Finalise an approach to zone A at Horizon 120 | Alignment with the overall vision for Horizon 120 to deliver quality buildings to support the Braintree economy. | December 2025 |
| Sell plots 5 –8 at Horizon 120 | Attract further investment into Horizon 120 and support key industries to locate and stay in our district | September 2025 |
| Take forward the recommended option from the viability study for the Witham Enterprise site | Ensuring a financially viable option is progressed for the Witham Enterprise site. | March 2026 |
| Support the work on developing a North Essex Growth Plan that will inform and promote positive engagement with the emerging plans for Devolution in Greater Essex | North Essex and Braintree District Councils views are reflected in the emerging work of the economic growth and infrastructure work of the shadow Mayoral County Combined Authority | March 2026 |
Priority 3
Provide tailored business support and access to funding to help businesses thrive and innovate.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| In association with the North Essex Economic Board, provide business support services focussed on enhancing financial management and business growth. | Businesses are supported to grow and innovate | March 2026 |
| Organise and deliver jobs fairs across the district. | Funding provided for projects to support a wide range of interventions supporting businesses to thrive across the district. | March 2026 |
Priority 4
Develop skills that are attractive to employers and support residents to access opportunities to improve their economic wellbeing.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Support school engagement to access University of Essex open days | Year 9 students experience University opportunities | March 2026 |
| Organise and deliver jobs fairs across the district. | People are connected to prospective employers to explore new career opportunities. | March 2026 |
| Through the Shared Prosperity Fund, deliver year 2 of the Green Skills Programme. | Supporting people to gain qualifications and employment in green skills that are needed in new and existing sectors | March 2026 |
Download the Annual Plan for 2025/26