Issues and Options Document

*THIS REPRESENTATION INCLUDES AN ATTACHMENT*

We submit these representations to the Regulation 18 consultation on the Rochford Local Plan in support of the site, land south of Eastwood, Rayleigh (as shown on the site location plan).
Representations to the Regulation 18 consultation on the Rochford Local Plan
The consultation is centred around nine questions. We set out our initial comments in respect of these themes, which should be considered by the Council in its plan making, below.

Strategic Priorities for the Local Plan

In the first instance, the district is required to plan to meet its objectively assessed needs. The objective of the plan, and the resultant spatial strategy should be to meet the needs of the district within the district. This is the approach the NPPF sets out that Councils should undertake in their plan making. Paragraph 14 of the NPPF outlies that at the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which for plan-making means that authorities should 'positive seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area' and that 'Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs' in most instances. Paragraphs 150-157 set out the core principles for plan-making. The paragraphs emphasise that Local Plans should be prepared with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, and opportunities to achieve economic social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development should be taken.
We are supportive of the Housebuilders Federation (HBF) representations to the Local Plan, which set out that the district needs to properly establish their full objectively assessed housing needs, and that better working must occur across the HMA and with the South Essex HMA authorities in order to satisfy their duty to cooperate (as required by the NPPF).

Green Belt

It is important that evidence base documents, including a Green Belt review, should inform, not dictate the shape and nature of the Local Plan. The development of Local Plan strategies, to be appraised through the Sustainability Appraisal should be the product of analysis of the compressive evidence base by planning officers and their colleagues. From the strategy set out, we are not clear whether this is recognised and planned for. We are keen to reiterate that the Local Plan should allocate sites, which can promote sustainable patterns of travel, create safe inclusive communities and economic prosperity, through sustainable development.

Building More Homes

Whilst environmental constraints should be a consideration in planning to meet housing needs, they should not preclude trying to meet the district's full needs. The Council should seek to positively meet its needs within the district, and look at where needs can best be met, in the event the full needs cannot be met. The HBF representations support this approach.

*THIS REPRESENTATION INCLUDES AN ATTACHMENT*

We submit these representations to the Regulation 18 consultation on the Rochford Local Plan in support of the site, land south of Eastwood, Rayleigh (as shown on the site location plan).
Representations to the Regulation 18 consultation on the Rochford Local Plan
The consultation is centred around nine questions. We set out our initial comments in respect of these themes, which should be considered by the Council in its plan making, below.

Strategic Priorities for the Local Plan

In the first instance, the district is required to plan to meet its objectively assessed needs. The objective of the plan, and the resultant spatial strategy should be to meet the needs of the district within the district. This is the approach the NPPF sets out that Councils should undertake in their plan making. Paragraph 14 of the NPPF outlies that at the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which for plan-making means that authorities should 'positive seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area' and that 'Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs' in most instances. Paragraphs 150-157 set out the core principles for plan-making. The paragraphs emphasise that Local Plans should be prepared with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, and opportunities to achieve economic social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development should be taken.
We are supportive of the Housebuilders Federation (HBF) representations to the Local Plan, which set out that the district needs to properly establish their full objectively assessed housing needs, and that better working must occur across the HMA and with the South Essex HMA authorities in order to satisfy their duty to cooperate (as required by the NPPF).

Green Belt

It is important that evidence base documents, including a Green Belt review, should inform, not dictate the shape and nature of the Local Plan. The development of Local Plan strategies, to be appraised through the Sustainability Appraisal should be the product of analysis of the compressive evidence base by planning officers and their colleagues. From the strategy set out, we are not clear whether this is recognised and planned for. We are keen to reiterate that the Local Plan should allocate sites, which can promote sustainable patterns of travel, create safe inclusive communities and economic prosperity, through sustainable development.

Building More Homes

Whilst environmental constraints should be a consideration in planning to meet housing needs, they should not preclude trying to meet the district's full needs. The Council should seek to positively meet its needs within the district, and look at where needs can best be met, in the event the full needs cannot be met. The HBF representations support this approach.

*THIS REPRESENTATION INCLUDES AN ATTACHMENT*

We submit these representations to the Regulation 18 consultation on the Rochford Local Plan in support of the site, land south of Eastwood, Rayleigh (as shown on the site location plan).
Representations to the Regulation 18 consultation on the Rochford Local Plan
The consultation is centred around nine questions. We set out our initial comments in respect of these themes, which should be considered by the Council in its plan making, below.

Strategic Priorities for the Local Plan

In the first instance, the district is required to plan to meet its objectively assessed needs. The objective of the plan, and the resultant spatial strategy should be to meet the needs of the district within the district. This is the approach the NPPF sets out that Councils should undertake in their plan making. Paragraph 14 of the NPPF outlies that at the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which for plan-making means that authorities should 'positive seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area' and that 'Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs' in most instances. Paragraphs 150-157 set out the core principles for plan-making. The paragraphs emphasise that Local Plans should be prepared with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, and opportunities to achieve economic social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development should be taken.
We are supportive of the Housebuilders Federation (HBF) representations to the Local Plan, which set out that the district needs to properly establish their full objectively assessed housing needs, and that better working must occur across the HMA and with the South Essex HMA authorities in order to satisfy their duty to cooperate (as required by the NPPF).

Green Belt

It is important that evidence base documents, including a Green Belt review, should inform, not dictate the shape and nature of the Local Plan. The development of Local Plan strategies, to be appraised through the Sustainability Appraisal should be the product of analysis of the compressive evidence base by planning officers and their colleagues. From the strategy set out, we are not clear whether this is recognised and planned for. We are keen to reiterate that the Local Plan should allocate sites, which can promote sustainable patterns of travel, create safe inclusive communities and economic prosperity, through sustainable development.

Building More Homes

Whilst environmental constraints should be a consideration in planning to meet housing needs, they should not preclude trying to meet the district's full needs. The Council should seek to positively meet its needs within the district, and look at where needs can best be met, in the event the full needs cannot be met. The HBF representations support this approach.