New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Thurrock Council notes the range of technical studies that have been prepared and those that are proposed to be updated as part of the evidence base for the New Rochford Local Plan. Thurrock Council supports the proposals to provide updated evidence in particular the Economic Development and Needs Assessment (EDNA) and Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA), the latter being produced in collaboration with the other local authorities in the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA).

Furthermore the range of evidence to be commissioned in the future to provide additional evidence for the Rochford New Local plan is also considered appropriate.

Thurrock Council also supports the continued collaboration and involvement of Rochford Council in the preparation of other technical work being prepared or proposed to be commissioned by the ASELA authorities to support local plans and the South Essex Strategic Framework. This additional evidence includes updates to retail evidence and role of town centres together with the possibility of commissioning a South Essex Strategic Green Belt Review. Rochford Council should consider how this future evidence work will inform the preparation of its New Local Plan.

Yes.

Thurrock Council supports the proposed Spatial Spatial Strategy Option 4: Balanced Option for the New Rochford Local Plan that would seek to provide a mix of Urban Intensification, Urban Extensions and Concentrated Growth Options. It is considered that the Balanced Option would provide a more flexible response for housing delivery and supply including a mix of housing development locations and site options whilst also providing the critical mass to deliver infrastructure. The Option 4 would also be more likely to deliver the higher Growth Scenario of Standard Methodology Plus Buffer which includes the potential for cross –boundary development in meeting needs from elsewhere.

It is noted that Option 4 also provides better socio-economic benefits compared to other options.

Thurrock Council supports the Growth Scenario for the Rochford Council New Local Plan which seeks to meet the Standard Methodology housing number but also includes a buffer that would provide a driver for economic growth and/or address unmet need from elsewhere.

It is stated that Rochford Council currently proposes that the Standard Methodology Plus Buffer Scenario provides a buffer of 3600 homes above the Standard Methodology requirement for Rochford borough which represents a 50% uplift. Providing such a buffer may assist in meeting unmet need from elsewhere and in particular adjoining local authorities within South Essex.

However towards the end of the Rochford Spatial Options consultation it is noted that neighbouring Southend on Sea Borough Council has undertaken a Regulation 18 consultation, “Refining the Plan Options” on its New Local Plan. Within the Southend Council proposals there is a Strategy Option D that seeks to meet part of its Standard Methodology dwelling requirement by locating growth within Rochford district boundary of up to 3,950 dwellings during the plan period to 2040 and potentially 4,900 dwellings beyond the plan period.

The dwelling number of at least 3,950 dwellings proposed by Southend Council in Rochford district in a cross boundary development is higher than the 3,600 dwellings potentially proposed by Rochford Council in its Standard Methodology Plus Buffer options to assist in meeting unmet need. There is also an additional 1,000 dwellings proposed beyond the plan period to be located in Rochford district.

Thurrock Council notes the difference in approach and dwelling numbers for potential cross-boundary development in this location as set out in the draft local plan consultations of both authorities. Clarification is sought on this matter and it is recommended that both authorities will need to consider this matter through further collaboration under the Duty to Cooperate to undertake additional evidence work to assess the deliverability of such development and seek to reach an agreement on a dwelling number for any cross-boundary development to inform the next stages of plan preparation.

Thurrock Council considers that a combination of the non-exclusive Options 3, 4 and 5 would provide the most flexible approach for the Rochford Council in meeting current and future need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the New Local Plan to 2040. It is noted there is uncertainty regarding the provision of pitches at the current policy allocation. The regularisation and expansion of existing unauthorised sites may provide an appropriate way of resolving most existing need requirements. However it is recognised that not all existing unauthorised sites may be appropriate or deliverable. Therefore the provision of planned new gypsy and traveller sites allocation and/or provision in larger strategic housing allocations may provide for any remaining current and future Gypsy and Traveller need.

Thurrock Council would seek further clarification of the option of proposed concentrated growth (Option 3a West of Rayleigh) and potential implications in the area of Rawreth and Rayleigh. It is acknowledged that the Spatial Options Consultation provides only indicative information at this stage and that not all the land highlighted would necessarily come forward for development in this location if an option is taken forward in the plan. Depending on the size and scale of any development there is concern about the potential impact on the Green Belt and in particular the issues of coalescence of Wickford and Rayleigh.

However it is not clear how this proposal would be planned in relation to any expansion of Wickford settlement in possible collaboration with Basildon Council. The adjoining authorities are also proposing other development south of this proposal east and west of the A127/A130 junction at Fairglen. There is lack of clarity and information on how all these proposals are being considered in combination and that the cumulative impacts on the Green Belt, the environment, highway and other infrastructure have been considered and evidenced.

Thurrock Council recommends that Rochford Council undertake further collaboration with neighbouring local authorities and through ASELA to assess potential scale and impact of development options and in this location.

It is noted that Rochford Council currently proposes that the Standard Methodology Plus Buffer Scenario provides a buffer of 3600 homes above the Standard Methodology requirement for Rochford district which represents a 50% uplift. Providing such a buffer may assist in meeting unmet need from elsewhere and in particular adjoining local authorities within South Essex.

However towards the end of the Rochford Spatial Options consultation it is noted that neighbouring Southend on Sea Borough Council has undertaken a Regulation 18 consultation, “Refining the Plan Options” on its New Local Plan. Within the Southend Council proposals there is a Strategy Option D that seeks to meet part of its Standard Methodology dwelling requirement by locating growth within Rochford district boundary of up to 3,950 dwellings during the plan period to 2040 and potentially 4,900 dwellings beyond the plan period.

The dwelling number of at least 3,950 dwellings proposed by Southend Council in Rochford district in a cross boundary development is higher than the 3,600 dwellings potentially proposed by Rochford Council in its Standard Methodology Plus Buffer options to assist in meeting unmet need. There is also an additional 1,000 dwellings proposed beyond the plan period to be located in Rochford district..

Thurrock Council notes the difference in approach and dwelling numbers for potential cross-boundary development in this location as set out in the draft local plan consultations of both authorities. Clarification is sought on this matter and it is recommended that both authorities will need to consider this matter through further collaboration under the Duty to Cooperate to undertake additional evidence work to assess the deliverability of such development and seek to reach an agreement on a dwelling number for any cross-boundary development to inform the next stages of plan preparation.