The Brentwood Local Plan 2016-2033 was adopted in March 2022 following Examination in Public overseen by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State. The appointed Inspectors in their final report recommended a number of Main Modifications in order to make the plan sound and capable of adoption. One of those included the addition of Policy MG06: Local Plan Review and Update. This Policy sets out that the Council’s commitment to bring forward a partial update of the Plan with the objective of meeting the full Objectively Assessed Housing Needs. The review was required to commence immediately with submission of the review for examination within 28 months.

To facilitate the production of the Local Plan Review it is necessary to reconvene the Local Plan Member Working Group.

Reviewing the Local Plan will ensure that the Council continues to have an up-to[1]date strategic planning framework for the borough that provides control and certainty at the planning application stage and protects communities from speculative applications. It will also assist in the delivery of the Council’s corporate objectives, including climate change and placemaking ambitions, and support job creation and regeneration.

To support the preparation of any Local Plan there is a need to update relevant evidence including undertaking a call for sites.

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 that work is continued for the preparation of the Local Plan Review, including a focus on climate change and sustainability matters, with emerging work presented to a reconvened Local Development Plan Member Working Group and key stages brought to committee in due course.

R2. Approve that Local Plan supporting evidence is reviewed and updated where appropriate, including commencing a Call for Sites consultation.

Reason for Recommendation

National Policy requires that Local Plans as a minimum are reviewed at least every five years should be updated as necessary. The adopted Brentwood Local Plan requires under Policy MG06: Local Plan Review and Update that an immediate review is undertaken with submission of the review for examination occurring within 28 months of adoption. This was stipulated by the appointed Planning Inspector who oversaw the examination of the Local Plan as there was an identified shortfall in meeting housing needs. Therefore, it is imperative that the Council proceeds with this work to review the adopted Local Plan to ensure housing supply is maintained to meet identified needs.

In addition, there is a need to consider climate change and sustainability matters and reviewing the policies within the adopted Local Plan particularly given that the Council recently declared a Climate Emergency at Ordinary Council in June 2023.

To facilitate the production of the Local Plan Review it is necessary to reconvene the Local Plan Member Working Group which will allow for cross party discussion on the work as it is prepared. Key consultation stages such as Regulation 18 and 19 will be brought to committee for member approval in due course.

A Local Plan needs to be underpinned by appropriate and proportionate evidence; therefore, this will need to be reviewed and updated to support the Local Plan Review. There is an immediate need to undertake a Call for Sites in line with National Planning Practice Guidance so an up-to-date baseline is  established on what development opportunities are available. Findings from any updated and emerging evidence will inform the preparation of the Local Plan which will be brought before the Local Plan Member Working Group