At 9.00pm, a vote was taken on Standing Orders and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to extend the meeting for a further 30 minutes.

The chair adjourned for a 10 minutes comfort break. 

The report sought approval on a formal response from Brentwood Borough Council (submitted as an officer’s response pending approval from the committee) to the Basildon Local Plan, Issues & Options consultation (Regulation 18). The consultation ran from 27 June to 5 September 2023.

The officer response conveys broad support of Basildon Borough Council’s aims in preparing a new Local Plan. The Basildon Plan is currently at the beginning stages of the plan-making process with no specific details on the strategic approach for the area.

The consultation focused more on seeking options on what the strategic strategy should be. The consultation document highlights the fact that as of now the standard method indicates that Basildon Borough Council has a housing need of 1,041 new home per annum, resulting in 20,820 new homes over the plan period. The consultation document seeks opinions on what is an appropriate level of housing to be delivered and makes reference that the plan could provide less housing depending on the outcome of the pending NPPF revision. The consultation document also refers to Basildon’s gypsy and traveller’s needs currently being 85 pitches and 3 travelling showpeople plots for those that meet the planning definition and an additional 93 pitches and 86 traveling showpeople plots for those that do not meet the definition. The officer response highlights the importance of Basildon Borough Council making every effort possible to meet these needs in full.

Following discussion Cllr Kendall MOVED and Cllr G Barrett SECONDED the recommendations in the report. Members voted and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

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

Reason for Recommendation

Basildon Borough Council is currently working towards a new Local Plan, with a possible plan period of 2027 to 2042 (with the possibility of this being extended subject to this consultation outcome). The consultation document was an ‘Issues & Options’ Plan, which is at the very beginning stages of the Plan making process. The Issues & Options consultation document was out for consultation from 27 June to 5 September 2023. Basildon Council agreed to accept an officer’s response to the consultation pending approval from the committee.

Brentwood Borough Council is duty bound to undergo the duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities on preparation of their local plans. In addition to being a neighbouring authority, both Basildon and Brentwood are members of the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA), and therefore ongoing joint working and discussion on cross-boundary planning matters, such as unmet housing needs, is discussed as part of the preparation of the South Essex Joint Strategic Framework.