Comment
Issues and Options Document
Representation ID: 37163
Received: 07/03/2018
Respondent: Strutt & Parker
Dear Sir or Madam,
Rochford New Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation - cross-boundary development with Basildon Borough
I write in respect of the above consultation currently being undertaken by the Council, and in relation to land which adjoins Wickford but which falls within the administrative area of Rochford District Council.
A plan showing the land in question accompanies this letter.
Whilst within the administrative area of Rochford District Council, the land in question has a strong functional relationship with the town of Wickford, and represents an option to deliver an urban extension to this town, to help meet housing needs.
As explained within the South Essex Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2016), Basildon Borough and Rochford District are within the same housing market area, defined from review of house prices and rates of change in housing prices; household migration and search patterns; and contextual data (including commuting patterns).
One of the options to addressing objectively assessed housing need identified in the New Local Plan Issues and Options (NLPIO) is to work with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities to ensure that housing need across the South Essex Housing Market Area is effectively met. As the NLPIO recognises, this collaborative working is in fact a requirement of the Duty to Cooperate, and cannot be seen as optional.
We are mindful that authorities within South Essex (including Brentwood Borough Council) are collaborating on the preparation of a joint strategic vision for the area, which has the interim title South Essex Vision 2050.
Whilst we appreciate work on this is still in its infancy, given the strong functional relationship between the authorities, the extent of housing need in the area, and the constrained nature of a number of authorities' administrative boundaries, a "no border" approach to collaboration and joint working appears a positive step. We welcome action being taken to ensure opportunities to deliver sustainable growth are not constrained by administrative boundaries.
We are aware that the 2018 draft Submission version of the Basildon Local Plan seeks to deliver 15,000 homes over the plan period compared to a housing need for over 19,000 dwellings. Accordingly, we consider there to be an imperative for Basildon council to cooperate with the authorities within the Housing Market
Area to address this unmet need. With such a significant shortfall, it is appropriate to consider whether the need arising in Basildon could be met in Rochford.
Given the requirements of the Duty to Cooperate and the positive joint working already being undertaken by the South Essex authorities, we trust land to the east of Wickford will be given appropriate consideration as a sustainable extension to the Wickford, regardless of administrative boundaries.
We urge the Council to work with Basildon Borough Council to explore this option further, as the respective authorities' Local Plans progress.
We would welcome further discussions with the Council as the Local Plan is progressed.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Rochford New Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation - cross-boundary development with Basildon Borough
I write in respect of the above consultation currently being undertaken by the Council, and in relation to land which adjoins Wickford but which falls within the administrative area of Rochford District Council.
A plan showing the land in question accompanies this letter.
Whilst within the administrative area of Rochford District Council, the land in question has a strong functional relationship with the town of Wickford, and represents an option to deliver an urban extension to this town, to help meet housing needs.
As explained within the South Essex Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2016), Basildon Borough and Rochford District are within the same housing market area, defined from review of house prices and rates of change in housing prices; household migration and search patterns; and contextual data (including commuting patterns).
One of the options to addressing objectively assessed housing need identified in the New Local Plan Issues and Options (NLPIO) is to work with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities to ensure that housing need across the South Essex Housing Market Area is effectively met. As the NLPIO recognises, this collaborative working is in fact a requirement of the Duty to Cooperate, and cannot be seen as optional.
We are mindful that authorities within South Essex (including Brentwood Borough Council) are collaborating on the preparation of a joint strategic vision for the area, which has the interim title South Essex Vision 2050.
Whilst we appreciate work on this is still in its infancy, given the strong functional relationship between the authorities, the extent of housing need in the area, and the constrained nature of a number of authorities' administrative boundaries, a "no border" approach to collaboration and joint working appears a positive step. We welcome action being taken to ensure opportunities to deliver sustainable growth are not constrained by administrative boundaries.
We are aware that the 2018 draft Submission version of the Basildon Local Plan seeks to deliver 15,000 homes over the plan period compared to a housing need for over 19,000 dwellings. Accordingly, we consider there to be an imperative for Basildon council to cooperate with the authorities within the Housing Market
Area to address this unmet need. With such a significant shortfall, it is appropriate to consider whether the need arising in Basildon could be met in Rochford.
Given the requirements of the Duty to Cooperate and the positive joint working already being undertaken by the South Essex authorities, we trust land to the east of Wickford will be given appropriate consideration as a sustainable extension to the Wickford, regardless of administrative boundaries.
We urge the Council to work with Basildon Borough Council to explore this option further, as the respective authorities' Local Plans progress.
We would welcome further discussions with the Council as the Local Plan is progressed.