Timings of the Local Plan review
Why are you reviewing it now when the Plan goes up to 2033?
It seems like we have lots of time, but central government only consider a Local Plan up to date if it is less than 5 years since it was adopted and accords with National Planning Policy. Since the Braintree District Local Plan was adopted, the housing target for the District has increased from 716 to 1264 which means that it is no longer up to date.
Central government will only apply full weight to policies within Local Plan where they are considered to be up to date. We want a plan-led system – without that there’s a chance we will get a stream of unallocated sites coming in to seek planning permission which could give us very little influence over the location of new development and supporting infrastructure.
When will the Local Plan be ready and what period will it cover?
If approved, the plan will be adopted and ready to use in making planning decisions in Autumn 2027. The plan will cover a 15 year period planning for growth into the early 2040s.
