The report sought approval on a formal to the Southend Local Plan, Refining the Options consultation (Regulation 18). This conveys broad support of Southend’s aims in preparing a new local plan. The Southend Plan was currently at the early stages of the plan-making process with little specific details provided on the strategic approach for the area.

The Refining the Options consultation document made it clear that Southend

Borough was unable to meet its full housing needs. Southend had formally asked if Brentwood Borough Council were able to take any of Southend’s unmet housing need. The proposed response highlighted the Brentwood Borough limitations to doing so being wholly within Green Belt. Both authorities are members of the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) and there is ongoing joint working regarding cross-boundary issues such as unmet needs.

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members are asked to:

R1. Approve the response to the Southend Local Plan, Refined Options consultation (Regulation 18), as set out in Appendix A

Reasons for Recommendation

Southend Council is at the early stages of the plan-making process. No

policies or site allocations have been proposed as part of this consultation and

so the proposed response focuses on high-level strategic issues.

It is considered appropriate that the Council express broad support for

Southend Council’s efforts to develop a local plan in accordance with national

policy and guidance, and the commitment to continue collaboration through the duty to cooperate on strategic planning matters that affect South Essex.