Rochford Core Strategy Development Plan Document - Schedule of Changes

Consultation on Core Strategy Schedule of Changes

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Core Strategy Schedule of Changes.
EEDA's principal role is to improve the East of England region's economic performance. Our main concern with strategy documents is therefore that they will help deliver, and provide the spatial framework for:
* sustainable economic development and regeneration in the East of England, and in particular,
* the Regional Economic Strategy (Inventing the Future - Collective Action for a sustainable economy, 2008).

The decision to revoke Regional Strategies has now been quashed although the Secretary of State has reiterated his intention to abolish the regional tier. Cala Homes has also brought a second round of proceedings against the government over its approach to the abolition of regional spatial strategies and are currently seeking a declaration from the Court that the government's stated intention to enact primary legislation in the future to abolish Regional Strategies is not a material consideration for determining planning applications. In the light of these ongoing decisions and the recent White Paper on Local Growth we would stress that the Council should ensure it has relevant, appropriate and sound evidence to support its policies and the approach to its delivery and implementation.

It is therefore relevant to suggest that the RSS and RES remain part of the material consideration until such time as it is legally revoked or the Cala injunction is resolved.

If you would like to discuss any of these matters in further detail, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address.