Braintree District Council is launching its next round of engagement for the Local Plan Review.
Following the initial "Call for Sites" consultation that took place in April 2024, which councils are required to do as part of the Local Plan Review process, this phase will focus on encouraging communities to informally share any ideas or suggestions of what they would like to be considered in the plan looking forward to 2041.
The Local Plan serves as the strategic framework that guides growth and development in the Braintree district, where businesses and homes will be located, and protection of the green environment and heritage.
The council’s current Local Plan is designed to run until 2033 but has to be reviewed and updated, if necessary, at least every five years. Braintree District Council adopted its current Local Plan in 2021 and must therefore start a review in order to complete it by 2025, submit to the planning inspectorate for examination in 2025 and adoption in 2026.
The review of Braintree’s Local Plan will extend its timeframe from 2033 to 2041 looking at growth options post 2033 to meet evolving longer-term needs of communities and changing national planning guidance and best practice.
The council recognises the importance of stakeholders and residents’ views in this process and is keen for them to help shape the vision and policies as part of the Local Plan Review.
Stakeholders, parish and town councils and residents are encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions on what they would like to be considered in the Local Plan, identifying opportunities up to 2041. This could include housing, employment, green spaces, transportation, infrastructure, community and education facilities, land they would like to see protected, or any other aspect of the community, in towns, surrounding villages and rural areas.
Residents are being asked to feed back any ideas, issues or suggestions by 5pm on Friday 16 August 2024 either by emailing planningpolicy@braintree.gov.uk or by post to: Planning Policy, Braintree District Council, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex CM7 9HB.
Comments will be considered by the council in preparing the draft Local Plan document ahead of further wider public consultation with residents, businesses and communities later this year and in 2025.
Cllr Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning at Braintree District Council, said: “It’s important for us to ensure residents, businesses and interest groups are provided with opportunities to input throughout the Local Plan review process to help shape the district’s future and ensure the plan reflects local need and aspirations.
“It’s a significant challenge to get a Local Plan prepared for submission by the current June deadline next year but it’s important that the council keeps the plan up to date so that communities have certainty on where sustainable growth should happen, otherwise the council will have less control when determining planning applications.
“This is your opportunity to influence the future of your district. The Local Plan affects every resident so it’s really important - please do take part and share your views with us.”
People can keep updated on the Local Plan review by visiting the council’s website www.braintree.gov.uk/localplanreview or signing up to receive direct email updates.
The first phase of the Local Plan Review - the "Call for Sites" - has now taken place, where developers, landowners and others were invited to put forward suggested sites which might be suitable for development in the district. Sites received during this exercise are not automatically marked for development, nor do they gain any special status. The council is now reviewing all the comments and site suggestions received as part of this exercise. Every site is being assessed to determine whether they are suitable, available and achievable for development or designation within the updated Local Plan.