Braintree District Development Plan

Development plan updates

Local Plan Sub-Committee

Forthcoming scheduled Local Plan Sub-Committee dates are: 

Neighbourhood Plans

Braintree District’s Local Plan 2013-2033

The Local Plan 2033 is divided as Section 1 and Section 2. 

  • Section 1 was adopted in 2021
  • Section 2 was adopted in 2022 

Conservation Area Appraisals

Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 places a duty on local planning authorities to review their conservation areas from ‘time to time’. The purpose of the Conservation Area Appraisal is to provide an analysis of the conservation area which will inform future development and design with regard to the sensitivities of the Historic Environment and its unique character.

The Council sought the views of local residents and other stakeholder on the following documents between 9am 10th January and 5pm 7th February 2022:

The Council held and recorded a virtual webinar event via Microsoft Teams on 19th January 2022 for both the Braintree Town Centre and Bradford Street Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Plans.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Updated February 2021

The SCI explains how we will involve local people in planning - setting out who and how we will engage residents and stakeholders. This includes public consultation of the Local Plan, Neighbourhood Plan and Supplementary Planning Documents, making comments on planning applications and how we will assist Neighbourhood Planning areas or forums.

The current SCI was adopted in 2020. In February 2021 the Statement of Community Involvement was updated to reflect changes in Government regulations, including Covid.

Local Development Order (LDO) - Horizon 120, Great Notley - Amended July 2021

We approved a Local Development Order (LDO) in April 2020 for the Horizon 120 Business and Innovation Park at Great Notley. The LDO provided planning permission for specific types of development on the site including B1, B2 and B8 employment uses, a hotel and a central facilities hub in a high quality environment. With recent changes in national policy and legislation, amendments to the LDO have been made to ensure it reflects current legislation. The amendments were approved by Council on 2nd August 2021.

Essex Coast Recreational Disturbance Avoidance & Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) SPD

The Essex Coastal Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted by the Council on 1st September 2020.

It sets out the mitigation that is necessary to protect the wildlife of the Essex coast from the increased visitor pressure associated with new residential development, and how this mitigation will be funded. It is necessary to meet the Council’s responsibilities under the Habitats Regulations. 

The document was prepared in partnership with the Greater Essex Councils, under the guidance of Natural England. A public consultation was also undertaken which concluded on 21st February 2020.

The following documents support the adoption:

A tariff on new residential dwellings within the ‘Zone of Influence’ is now in operation, for further information please see our HRA pages.

Consultation Portal

All current and recent consultations

Updated January 2023

Planning Policy

Address: Causeway House
Bocking End
Braintree
Essex
CM7 9HB

Telephone: 01376 552525