Residents will be aware that Braintree District Council (BDC) is in the process of updating its Local Plan. The current Local Plan is a two-part plan which runs until 2033 and serves as the strategic framework that guides the growth and development in the Braintree district. It addresses crucial aspects such as housing, employment, infrastructure, and environmental considerations.
Why is it reviewing the Local Plan?
BDC is reviewing its plan because it will be considered “out of date” in February 2026 as it will have been 5 years from the date of its original adoption. Following the Government’s update to the National Planning Policy Framework, BDC will be able to take more time to review the plan and are aiming to submit this to the Planning Inspectorate in June 2026 as agreed by the Local Plan Sub-Committee at its meeting held on 16 September 2024.
A review of the Local Plan is needed because once a plan is 5 years old, its policies have less weight in the planning application process. In addition, the updated National Planning Policy Framework includes a new methodology for calculating housing need which means they need to plan to deliver an increased number of homes each year in order.
The review of Braintree’s Local Plan will extend its timeframe from 2033 to 2041 and they now need to allocate sufficient land to deliver 1,115
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