The Brentwood Local Plan 2016-2033 is a vitally important document that provides a framework to guide future development in the borough to 2033. The plan sets out an overarching vision and strategic objectives underpinned by policies to manage growth consistent with our “borough of villages” character. It is the blueprint to help physically deliver the council’s corporate priorities and objectives.

The National Planning Policy Framework requires local planning authorities to produce a local plan for their area. The Council has prepared a new plan having undertaken various stages of public consultation through the plan-making process.

The preparation stage of the plan-making process took place between 2009 and 2019, with several Regulation 18 consultations and publication of the plan at Regulation 19 in 2018 followed by further consultation in 2019. The examination stage began in February 2020 when the plan was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The examination included hearing sessions held in December 2020, February, March and July 2021. This was followed by a consultation on Potential Main Modifications. The appointed planning inspectors have completed the examination stage by concluding that the plan and modifications recommended in their final report satisfies the requirements of legal compliance and is sound. This means that the council is now able to progress to the final stage of the plan-making process: adoption.

The report recommended that the council adopt the local plan with the main modifications recommended by the inspectors and additional modifications. In addition, there are several other recommendations related to the need to endorse accompanying material as part of the adoption process. One of the required modifications was that the council needs to immediately begin a partial review and update of the plan to account for longer-term growth needs. The timeframes for undertaking this review need to be considered alongside supporting planning policy documents as part of the council’s Local Development Scheme.

Mr Drane presented the report to Members. He thanked the Planning Policy Team and wider range of partners that had contributed to the plan-making process over several years.

A vote of thanks was given by cross-party members to all the officers for the work undertaken on the Local Development Plan.

Some concerns were expressed by members relating to the wider implications of ground floor commercial change of use permitted development, affordable/social housing mix, car parking and the use of Heath Impact Assessments.

The Motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge.

After a full debate, a vote was taken by a show of hands.

The Motion was CARRIED and it was RESOLVED to:

R1.     Adopt the Brentwood Local Plan 2016-2033 (Appendix A), which incorporates the Main Modifications recommended by the Planning Inspectors (Appendix C) and Additional Modifications (Appendix D). In doing so, this will replace the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan (2005).

R2.     Subject to recommendation 1, that the council endorses the updated Policies Map (Appendix G) in line with the proposed changes (Appendices E and F), which are necessary to give effect to the policies of the adopted Local Plan as modified, and that the Policies Map be published alongside the Brentwood Local Plan 2016-2033.

R3.     Subject to recommendation 1, delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Planning and Economy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive, to make any minor non-material corrections as additional modifications to the adopted Brentwood Local Plan 2016-2033 as considered necessary ahead of publication and publicity in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

R4.     Subject to recommendation 1, endorse that work begin on a Partial Review and Update of the Brentwood Local Plan 2016-2033, as required in the Main Modifications, and that the council’s Local Development Scheme is revised and presented to a future meeting of the Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee.

Reasons for Recommendation

Adopting the local plan will ensure that the council has an up-to-date strategic planning framework for the borough. This will provide more control and certainty through planning decision-making and protect communities from speculative applications. The plan will provide a blueprint for the borough’s future and be a key delivery vehicle for the council’s corporate objectives, helping to grow the economy, protect the environment, develop communities, improve housing, and deliver an effective and efficient council.

Adopting the plan will require endorsement of the accompanying policies map. To comply with the legislation and give effect to the plan’s policies, the council will need to update the adopted policies map to include all the changes proposed and the further changes published alongside the main modifications.

If the plan is adopted, a glossier final version will be required for practical use, both online and hard copy. Therefore, delegation of authority is sought for any minor typo and/or graphic design amendments before the document is published.

Work to progress an update and review of the local plan should start immediately in line with required modifications to Policy MG06. Timeframes for necessary stages of the update and review process will need to be considered alongside other priorities, such as introducing a Community Infrastructure Levy for the borough, and brought to a future meeting of the Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee to approve an updated programme of works in a revised Local Development Scheme.