Council to fight for the right plan for Castle Point

In September planning inspectors will examine the Council’s proposed plan at hearing to be held over several days.

The plan is a core document which will act as a framework to inform planning decisions and guide development in the Borough up to 2043.

Ahead of the examination, which is a normal part of the approval process for such plans, inspectors have issued a series of questions to the Council in the form of a Matters, Issues and Questions (MIQ) letter.

The letter, published today on the Council’s website, focuses on the Inspectorates’ concerns over the proposed number of homes to be built in Castle Point over the next 17 years. Inspectors state they have “significant concerns” that the number is substantially lower than that required by the Government. 

Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader of Castle Point Brough Council, said: “Given the housing figures the Government is looking to impose on Castle Point, we always expected a robust challenge.

“Our approach to developing this plan has been consultative, is evidence based and is sound. We firmly believe it is legal, and the right plan for our Borough. It reflects the needs and aspirations of residents and businesses and has a figure for the number of houses to be built which is realistic and prevents green belt incursion.

“This is a plan based on the evidence we have compiled. The alternatives are unworkable and we intend to clearly demonstrate this to the inspectors at the examination in September.”

The Government has said it believes the Borough is able to sustain the building 11,662 homes over this period, which equates to 686 per year.

The Council argues strongly that this figure is far too high and poses a risk to the green belt, the local environment, and the fabric of existing communities.  It has put forward a figure of 6,196, or 364 homes a year. 

Amongst other amenities residents said they valued, the plan will also defend approximately 2,500 hectares of Green Belt across the Borough including 1,428 hectares of public open space.  That is the equivalent of about 2,000 football pitches worth of public space. 

Cllr Gibson continued: “When we took office we pledged we would create a plan which reflected the vision residents in Castle Point have for their communities and protected our valuable green belt amenity.

“We have done this. This local plan is our vision for future development in Castle Point. It details what is right for the needs of our Borough for years to come.”

Once inspectors have concluded the examination they will rule whether they believe the plan to be sound. If it is found to be sound, then it will be adopted by the Council.

Alternatively, inspectors could order amendments be made, including imposing a higher housing figure.