Mrs Jan Gearon-Simm has submitted one question.

In November 2021, Boris Johnson’s government announced rules that all new homes to have an electric car charger.

Arguing against this are FTSE 100 construction firms group and Taylor Wimpey.

Transport and Environment, (T&E), a campaign group, has criticised this lobbing.

Domestic electric car charges will allow people to charge their cars overnight when energy is cheaper.

WILL THE PLANNING RULES FOR BRENTWOOD BOROUGH COUNCIL ENSURE THAT PLANNING APPROVAL IS GIVEN ONLY IF ELECTIC CAR CHARGES ARE INSTALLED ON ALL PLANNIGN APPLICATIONS?

Cllr Hossack responded as followed:

Thank you for your question. The council’s recently adopted local plan requires all new development proposals to maximise the opportunity of occupiers and visitors to use electric and low emission vehicles. This includes provision of electric vehicle charging, plug-in points and/or the space and infrastructure required to provide this in future. That is set out in Policy BE11. It is worth noting that this policy was drafted over the course of several years including through the recent local plan examination, and during that time the issue of energy consumption and electric vehicles has been very quickly changing. So, whilst the policy does not explicitly require each new home to have an EV charging point, national policy has now moved ahead.

In June 2022 an overhaul of the country’s Building Regulations came into effect. Part S of the regulation requires every new home with associated parking, including those created from a change of use, to have facilities for charging electric vehicles.

There is more detail in the regulations about how this applies to types of development and I would encourage you to review that. There are other changes to the Building Regulations that aim to increase energy efficiency in buildings across England.

It’s important to note that there is a grace period taking effect until 2023 for buildings that are currently still in the build process. If an applicant applied for a building notice or initial notice before 15 June 2022, the project would still be considered under the previous regulations, provided building work begins before 15 June 2023. But if an applicant obtained Building Regulation approval under the old regulations, they must begin work on the development by 15 June 2023 or the new regulations will apply.

We also should be mindful of the need to retrofit existing homes and the issue of providing EV charging for on-street parking. An issue I know Essex County Council and other highways authorities are considering options and rolling out solutions. But within that we know that there need to be a range of places for people to charge their electric vehicle, like at their place of work and during longer journeys. So, the issue is not restricted to residential properties.

There may be certain developers challenging the Government on these changes as you point out. That will be for the legal process to take its course and local planning authorities to react accordingly. This council will do all it can through local and national policy to improve the long-term sustainability of our borough, including increasing provision of EV charging with new homes.

Mrs Leah Haskoylu has submitted one question.

King Georges Playing Fields have had CCTV put in place as part of the redevelopment. There is no visible signage to advertise the CCTV, and it is not actively monitored in real time, which means it still relies on residents to continue to report incidents after the event. Given the continued anti-social behaviour in the play area, the unmonitored and undeclared surveillance is proving totally ineffective.

What is the council doing to do to reassure local residents that they will re-assess the ineffective CCTV and tackle the continued anti-social behaviour in the play area in the evenings?

Cllr Hossack responded as followed:

The CCTV is up and running in King George's Playing Fields. Signage is up around each of the cameras with one pointed at the play area. I can confirm that there is a live feed from the camera, back to the Town Hall so is monitored 24/7. 

Any incidents of ASB should be reported to the Council, so that Officers can target dates and times of patrols through the park.  

There is review that is currently being undertaken of CCTV across the borough.