Allocations DPD Discussion and Consultation Document

Re: Rochford Local Development Framework:
Development Management DPD and Allocations DPD Discussion and Consultation Documents - Regulation 25
I refer to the Council's letter dated 17 March 2010 inviting the East of England Regional Assembly to comment on the above Development Plan Documents.
The Regional Assembly was dissolved on 31 March 2010. As part of the transition to the new regulatory framework, consultations made to the Assembly are being taken forward by a successor body, the East of England Local Government Association, and it is on its behalf that this response has been made.
This letter and the attached reports constitute the East of England LGA's formal response to the above consultation documents. Your attention is drawn to the specific comments made within each report. In particular, the Council is reminded that regional policy requires all local authorities to plan for and make provision for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs beyond 2011.
If you have any queries concerning the content of this letter, the attached reports, or with any other issue relating to implementation of the Regional Spatial Strategy, please contact either myself or James Cutting.

1. Introduction
1.1 On 17 March 2010 Rochford District Council wrote to the East of England Regional Assembly to notify them of publication of its Allocation Development Plan Document (DPD) Discussion and Consultation Document under Regulation 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008.
1.2 This DPD sets out potential options for the location of new residential and employment development, leisure and community uses, and public open space in order to meet the requirements identified in the Rochford Core Strategy.
1.3 With the enactment of the Local Government, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the Consequential Amendments (SI 2010/602), local planning authorities outside London do not have to make a request seeking the opinion from the Regional Planning Body. Instead, the local planning authority must consult with the Responsible Regional Authority. When acting jointly with the Regional Development Agency (EEDA), The East of England Local Government Association is one of the Responsible Regional Authorities (RRAs) charged with keeping the regional strategy under review. Government guidance2 also directs the RRAs to actively engage with local authorities to promote the implementation of the Regional Strategy.
1.4 The East of England Regional Assembly was dissolved on 31 March 2010 and the requirement to seek its opinion was removed. With the transition to the new regulatory framework, consultations made to the Assembly are being taken forward by the East of England Local Government Association.

1.4 The closing date for comments on this DPD is 30 April 2010. Further details can be found at: http://www.rochford.gov.uk/planning/policy/local_development_framework/allocations_development_plan_d.aspx
2. Background
2.1 The district of Rochford covers an area of 168 sq. km's (65 sq. miles). Situated on a peninsula between the River Thames and River Crouch, it is bounded to the east by the North Sea, shares marine boundaries with Maldon and Chelmsford, and land boundaries with Basildon, Castle Point and Southend. The A127 and A130 provide road links to the M25, and rail services operate into London Liverpool Street. London Southend Airport is located along the southern boundary with Southend Borough.
2.2 The district has a noticeable east-west divide, with the majority of its residents living in the west in the three main urban areas of Rochford, Rayleigh and Hockley. A significant proportion of the workforce, estimated at 68%, works beyond the district boundary, with Southend exerting a particularly strong influence. Approximately 75% of the district is designated as Metropolitan Green Belt.
3. Planning Guidance
3.1 Regional planning guidance for Rochford is set out in the East of England Plan (May 2008) and the remaining saved policies of the Essex & Southend-on-Sea Structure Plan. The former requires Rochford to deliver a minimum 4,600 new homes and contribute 3,000 new jobs (as part of a wider Essex Thames Gateway policy area target of 55,000 new jobs) during the plan period 2001 - 2021.
3.2 Rochford's Core Strategy was submitted to the Secretary of State for approval in January 2010. An Examination in Public is due to commence in May 2010. The Core Strategy, which sets out the strategic spatial planning framework for the district to 2025, was found to be in general conformity with the East of England Plan following discussion of a report presented to the Assembly's Planning Panel Standing Committee in October 2009.
4. Comments
4.1 The East of England LGA recognises that the allocation of sites to meet identified housing, employment, community and environmental needs is ultimately a matter for local determination. To ensure consistency with regional policy objectives, priority should be given to existing brownfield sites and to those sites capable of providing opportunities to deliver high quality, sustainable development.
4.2 As sites come forward for development through the planning system that are at or above agreed regional significance thresholds, further information may be required by the East of England LGA in order to carry out a conformity assessment.
5. Recommendation
5.1 It is recommended that the comments in this report constitute the East of England LGA's formal response to this consultation.

Question
Are references to the East of England Plan correct?

Answer
Yes

Question
Does the area covered by this DPD address any issue that is of strategic or regional importance?

Answer
Yes

Comments
This DPD makes reference to London Southend Airport and its environs.

Question
Does this DPD identify an appropriate range of site options that will enable the delivery of development to meet regional targets for housing and employment growth, allow for the delivery of community and leisure facilities, and the protection of the natural environment?

Comments
The East of England LGA recognises that the allocation of sites to meet identified housing, employment, community and environmental needs is ultimately a matter for local determination. To ensure consistency with regional policy objectives, priority should be given to existing brownfield sites and to those sites capable of providing opportunities to deliver high quality, sustainable development.
The inclusion of site options to meet traveller needs up to 2011 is noted. However, the Council is reminded that adopted regional policy sets out a requirement for pitch provision to be made beyond 2011 and the Council should therefore be planning for the delivery of a further 13 pitches during the plan period 2011 and 2021.

Question
Does the DPD support the implementation of policies in the East of England Plan?

Comment
Yes