Environment
Environment
To create a district of opportunity – a place where our communities can thrive, our people prosper and our environment is cherished for all to enjoy.
Priority 1
Protect and enhance our built and natural environments across the district, providing good access to open spaces and increasing biodiversity.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Enhance the play areas at Meadowside in Braintree and Oxford Meadow in Sible Hedingham. | Play areas fully refurbished incorporating inclusive play equipment that improves play value for individuals of all ages. | March 2026 |
| Develop a renewable energy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). | Detailed guidence on the range of renewable technologies accepted by the Council including how to calculate the renewable energy requirement for future developments. | December 2025 |
| Work with partners on the requirements to deliver a Local Nature Recovery Strategy across Essex | Clear framework for protecting natural habitats, promoting sustainable land use and increasing green infrastructure in alignment with local and national environmental goals. | March 2026 |
| Revise the Councils Tree Strategy. | Manage and maintain the Councils own tree stock. Secure new landscaping through the planning process |
March 2026 |
Priority 2
Continue to deliver a cohesive and integrated response to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Work with Essex Air Consortium to finalise and adopt a joint Essex Air Quality Strategy | Action plans developed to help improve air quality and reduce the impacts of air pollution on people’s health. | December 2025 |
| Through the North Essex Councils Climate Partnership, develop a shared risk register and best practice for adapting to climate change events | Better understanding of collaborative approaches to mitigations. Ability to prioritise and plan policies around severity of risk. |
March 2026 |
| Work with partners to address the complex challenge of fuel poverty | Providing households with access to more affordable and sustainable energy sources as well as enhancing energy efficiency in homes. | March 2026 |
Priority 3
Support residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and be more resilient to climate related impacts.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Work with Essex County Council and our partners in Essex to promote the Essex Flood guide. | Single reference point for residents to identify the appropriate contacts during a flood. Support business and residents to develop their own flood plans. |
September 2025 |
| In partnership with Groundworks, deliver the extended Green Doctor Service, advising residents on energy efficiency | To support residents to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs of energy consumption. | March 2026 |
Priority 4
Improve the way that we manage waste and encourage residents and businesses to reduce, reuse and recycle more.
| Title | Outcome | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Implement new waste collection arrangements following the conclusion of the waste service public consultation and Cabinet decision | Compliance with the Governments waste reforms (Simpler Recycling). Divert as much waste as possible from landfill and increase recycling |
April 2026 |
| Work with other Authorities including Essex County Council to develop and deliver waste minimisation and recycling initiatives that deliver on the requirements of the Waste Reforms and Essex Waste Strategy | Influence and change attitudes and behaviours to reduce waste, reuse and recycle. | March 2026 |
| Develop a waste Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). | Support planning policies by providing detailed guidence on the storage and management of recyclables and waste and the implementation of high-quality on-site waste management systems. | December 2025 |
Download the Annual Plan for 2025/26