Consultations

Should you wish to download a copy of these documents, you can download static PDFs using the links below.

• New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document (Stylised Version)
  
• New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document (Simple Version)
  

We have also made a number of topic papers available for those interested in learning more about the national policy and local context for key themes considered in the Spatial Options Document. These can be opened as PDFs using the relevant links below.

• Biodiversity Topic Paper
  
• Climate Change and Resilient Environment Topic Paper
• Complete Communities Topic Paper
• Duty to Co-operate Topic Paper
• Economy and Skills Topic Paper
• Green and Blue Infrastructure Topic Paper
• Heritage Topic Paper
• Housing Topic Paper
• Strategy Options Topic Paper
• Town Centres and Retail Topic Paper
• Open Spaces and Recreation Topic Paper

Our new Local Plan is supported by a range of new and emerging evidence. This evidence base comprises a large number of technical studies and strategies, which identify key issues and recommend appropriate solutions.

Listed below are some of the key evidence base documents that have informed our new Local Plan to date. Please note, this list is not intended to be exhaustive and is provided purely as a quick reference. You can view our full new Local Plan evidence base webpage here. Other evidence is also underway but not complete at this time, including a comprehensive transport assessment.

• Green Belt Study
• Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessments: 2017 and 2020
• Indoor Built Facility Strategy: Assessment Report and Action Plan
• Initial Heritage Assessment of Submitted Sites
• Landscape Character, Sensitivity and Capacity Study
• Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)
• Local Wildlife Sites Review
• Playing Pitch Strategy: Assessment Report and Action Plan
• Site Appraisal Paper
• South Essex Economic Development Needs Assessment (EDNA)
• South Essex Green and Blue Infrastructure Study
• South Essex Grow-on Space Study
• South Essex Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment
• South Essex Strategic Infrastructure Position Statement (SIPS)
• South Essex Retail Study (SERS)
• South Essex Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) 2016 and Addendum 2017
• Urban Capacity Study

We have published an interactive map alongside the New Local Plan: Spatial Options consultation, which is available here.

This interactive map shows some of the key constraints and opportunities in Rochford District alongside all the 'sites' (blue shapes) that have been put forward to the Council by landowners and developers for consideration for housing, commercial and some cases other forms of development.

To find out more information on a particular site, you just need to double click your mouse within that site and more information will be presented on the screen. In the case of promoted sites (blue shapes), this will include a link to the most relevant question in the Spatial Options consultation and a link to our initial assessment of that site.  Please note that this map reflects the sites which were included in the Summer/Autumn 2021 consultation and does not reflect any sites received since this point, or any decisions taken through the Local Plan preparation process to select or rule out sites for allocation.

You can turn different layers on and off by using the "Map Layers" button near the bottom of the screen. Next to this button is the "Address Search" button which allows you to find a particular location within Rochford District. If you already know the reference to a site you want to look at, you can also select this from the drop-down menu on the right hand of the screen where it says "choose a site". 

You may find it easier to see details such as the boundary of a site by panning and zooming the map. You can pan (move) the map around by holding down the left mouse button (or your finger if on a touch screen device) and moving in the desired direction. You can zoom the map using the scale on the left hand of the screen (clicking "+" will zoom in; clicking "-" will zoom out).

The LDS sets out the timetable for the preparation of the Council’s main planning policy documents over a three year period. The Current LDS is effective from 20th July 2021.