Emerging Local Plan

In June 2018 the Council resolved to start work on a new Local Plan.

The Local Plan 2018 has drawn upon previous evidence and public consultation responses received from the 2014 and 2016 Local Plans. The timetable for this work can found in the Local Development Scheme

The Council prepared and consulted publicly on draft Local Plans in both 2014 and 2016. The work in 2016 stalled however when the latest Plan was withdrawn from the examination process.

Both the 2014 and 2016 plans were supported by a substantial evidence base and were informed by, and reflected, ongoing public consultation. The majority of the evidence base supporting that previous work, together with the consultation responses received, remain relevant. 

Since 2016, new evidence work has been commissioned by the Council in partnership with South Essex and as part of the Local Plan preparation, alongside this, around 1100 responses were received through the public consultation that was held in the summer of 2018.

The work used to inform the 2014 and 2016 Local Plans as well as new evidence and consultation responses that have come forward since then, have helped shape the content of the New Local Plan 2018.

The New Local Plan 2018 was reviewed by Council in November 2018. The Council resolved to not proceed with the Pre-Publication Local Plan 2018, more information regarding the outcomes of the Special Council can be found here.

The Council is now in discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in regards to the next steps.