Local Plan Extension

ROCHFORD District Council will formally request an eight extra weeks to prepare its Local Plan.
Rochford District Council’s Planning Policy Committee has agreed to formally request a two-month extension to the submission deadline for the Local Plan, moving it from 31 December 2026 to 26 February 2027.
A council statement said: “The decision was taken to give councillors more time to scrutinise the evidence base underpinning the Plan before it goes out to public consultation (the ‘Regulation 19’ stage).
“Some of this evidence is being finalised close to the date when it needs to reach councillors for approval, a reflection of exceptionally high demand for planning consultants across the country at present which has affected the timing of specialist evidence nationwide.
“The Local Plan itself is an in-depth document of over 300 pages, containing detailed evidence-led policies on everything from housing and employment to wildlife and flooding.
“Councillors weighed up the risks and benefits of the proposal and discussed that they did not want to compromise on the quality of scrutiny simply to hit a deadline. A shorter deadline was previously considered, but two full months were judged necessary to allow that scrutiny to happen properly alongside councillors’ other work.”
Coun Neil Hookway, Chair of the Planning Policy Committee, said: “Getting the Local Plan right matters.
“The requested extension gives councillors the time they need to look closely at complex evidence before it goes out to local people for consultation, and gives residents confidence that what we’re consulting on has been thoroughly reviewed.
“We’re grateful to officers and our consultants for their work under the significant time pressure this deadline places on them, and if the Government responds positively, we intend to use the extra two months well.”
The council’s statement added: “The Council will now write to the Government to formally request the extension. Subject to that being granted, the timetable for Regulation 19 consultation and submission will be updated accordingly, and residents will be kept informed through local press, the Council’s e-newsletters and social media.
“In the meantime, officers and councillors will continue to work to the current timetable, bringing the draft Local Plan and evidence base before a meeting of all councillors in time for an autumn consultation.”
Former Conservative Leader of the council Coun Danielle Belton responded to the decision, writing on Facebook: “6 Members voted to delay the Local Plan despite us being told it can be delivered on time and will need to be if the request is denied.
“Let’s hope Labour don’t do what they have done to other areas and just force a plan through to suit their needs – something some members want, so that they can go back to screaming and shouting blame rather than doing the work and taking the tough decisions.”
Coun Angelina Marriott, Conservative Councillor for Roche South Ward, also commented. She said on Facebook: “What with one thing and another, I did not feel good about tonight’s meeting.
“As a council, we should do far better. I am sorry that the residents who turned up were treated in a dismissive manner. If any of them are reading this, please go to your ward councillors with the information you have.
“Although it was always going to be tight, there was no thought of asking for an extension until Southend did it.
“My colleague Daniel Efde attended as a visiting member and wanted to speak on behalf of residents and was not allowed. Usually, visiting members may raise a point or ask a question but cannot vote. The chairman can say no, but it’s unusual to do so.
“I am sorry to all the people taking an interest, only for the live stream to cut out.”
More information: https://www.rochford.gov.uk/the-rochford-district-local-plan
Watch the meeting on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rochfordcouncil/streams
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