Under NPPF guidance, (para 79) the government encourage Local Authorities to meet the need of rural communities through the provision of sustainable housing, such as rural exemption sites. The most sustainable rural exemption sites will be adjacent to existing settlements.

As explained in question 18, Hullbridge has a specific unmet affordable housing need in the region of 1000 people. This community need could be partially addressed through the provision of rural exception sites, by bringing forward sites within the greenbelt that serve a limited role to the wider greenbelt function and purpose. These sites could provide up to 100% affordable dwellings. Such proposals have already been submitted on CFS 015.