Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Thurrock Local Plan Issues & Options (Stage 2)

DECEMBER 2018

1 2 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

How can I have my say on this consultation document?

Consultation on the Local Plan – Issues and Options (Stage 2) document and the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA) will commence at 9am on Wednesday 12th December, with the consultation period closing at 5pm on Friday 8th March 2019. All responses should be made on-line via the Council’s interactive consultation portal. If you do not have access to the internet, a paper comments form will be made available on request at the Civic Offices and in all libraries in the Borough.

If you need help with your representations or wish to discuss either the content of the consultation documents or how to submit your comments, please contact the Growth and Strategy team by email: growth&strategy@thurrock.gov.uk. There will also be opportunities to meet with members of the Growth and Strategy Team, face-to-face, at the ‘Your Place, Your Voice’ community planning events that are being held throughout the consultation period. Please visit our website for details on times and locations at www.thurrock.gov.uk/localplan.

How will my comments be used?

We will acknowledge receipt of your comments and fully consider them, although the Council will not enter into individual correspondence with consultees. Comments will be published on the Council’s consultation portal in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the representations made will be used to inform the next stage of the plan making process.

3 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 6 What is the Thurrock Local Plan? 6 CONTENTS What is this consultation about? 7 How will the Local Plan be prepared going forward? 8 How will communities and key stakeholders be involved in the process? 8 What information will be used to inform the Local Plan? 10 Land Availability Assessment 12 How will the Local Plan relate to other Plans and Strategies for the area? 14 How will the Local Plan relate to the Plans of neighbouring authorities? 14 South Essex 2050 Ambition 16 Scope and focus of the South Essex Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) 17 The strategic evidence base 17 Relationship of the Thurrock Local Plan to the South Essex Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) 18 What is the status of the Core Strategy and other planning policy documents now that the Council is preparing a new Local Plan? 18 Minerals and Waste 19 What are Neighbourhood Plans and how will the Local Plan affect them? 19 How will the Council assess the environmental impacts of the emerging Local Plan? 20 What will happen if the Council doesn’t prepare a new Local Plan and meet our future development needs? 21

SECTION 2: PREVIOUS CONSULTATION RESPONSES 22 Issues and Options (Stage 1) – February 2016 22 Watch this Place Washing Line 24 Your Place, Your Voice Community Planning Events 24

4 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

SECTION 3: CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE 26 SECTION 5: WHAT LEVEL OF GROWTH IS NEEDED Key Issues and Challenges 26 - EMPLOYMENT LAND? 76 What do we want Thurrock to be like in 2038? 28 Key findings and conclusions 78 Local Plan Vision 29 Key issues 80 How do we get there? 30 Existing employment areas 82 Policy Principles - How should development take place? 31 Digital infrastructure 85 Lower Thames Crossing 34 SECTION 6: WHAT LEVEL OF GROWTH IS NEEDED SECTION 4: WHAT LEVEL OF GROWTH IS NEEDED - RETAIL AND LEISURE? 86 - HOUSING? 36 Identifying future retail and leisure needs 87 Understanding how many homes we need 38 Key findings affecting Thurrock 88 Planning for affordable housing 41 Future planning status of Lakeside 89 Meeting the needs of specific groups 44 Place-making criteria 90 Housing Mix and Size 44 Policy choices and spatial options for managing development at Lakeside 91 Housing for older people and people with specialist needs 45 Grays Town Centre 92 Self build and Custom build housing 46 Hierarchy of Centres 93 Ensuring that the needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Town Centre Development 94 are met 46 Other Town Centre Uses 95 Location of Housing Growth – Spatial Options 47 Non-Retail Uses in Town Centres 96 Green Belt 49 Hot Food Takeaways and Betting Shops 97 Housing Growth Options 51 Transport and Access 98 Lower Thames Crossing 53 Car Parking 99 Spatial Options 54 Baseline Situation – Current Core Strategy Approach 56 SECTION 7: HEALTH & WELL-BEING 100 Option 1: Urban Intensification 58 Sport and Recreation 100 Option 2: Duty-To-Cooperate 60 Designing active places 102 Option 3: Green Belt Development Ensuring that the health impacts of new developments are appropriately New Settlement 61 assessed 103 Urban Extensions 64 Safeguarding local identity 104 Major Urban Extensions 65 Local green spaces 104 Small Urban Extensions 68 Local buildings of interest 105 Village Expansions 72 Isolated Site Allocations 74

5 What is the Thurrock Local Plan?

At the heart of planning and How the Local Plan is progressed will place-making is the need to be guided and underpinned by need to SECTION 1: plan positively for sustainable deliver against the following principles: development and future 1. Delivering the right infrastructure economic growth. One of the in the right place and at the right INTRODUCTION most important ways that can time be achieved is by having an 2. Positive health and wellbeing up-to-date local plan to guide impact 3. Meeting Thurrock’s housing needs the development of the area 4. Protecting and enhancing the and coordinate the provision of character of existing communities supporting infrastructure. 5. Minimising carbon emissions 6. Maintaining an effective Green Belt 7. Protecting and delivering quality in the built environment 8. Meeting employment needs 9. Ensuring our town centres continue to thrive 10. Respecting the River Thames 11. Managing waste

Thurrock Council is preparing a new Local Plan that will set out the amount and location of new development across the Borough in the period up to 2037/38.

The Local Plan will address Borough- wide strategic planning issues such as deciding which towns and villages should grow, and the quantity and type of new homes, jobs, services and infrastructure that are needed. The Local Plan will also cover detailed planning issues such as deciding which specific sites should be developed and what policies are needed to ensure that new development is well designed and that our built and natural heritage is protected and, where possible, enhanced.

6 What is this consultation Issues & Options (Stage 2) about?

In July 2018, the Association of South All development plans including the The first consultation on the It is important to note that this Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) Joint Strategic Plan and the Local new Local Plan, Issues and consultation is not concerned about produced a Statement of Common Plan must be positively prepared, Options (Stage 1) Consultation which specific sites should be allocated Ground (SoCG) which has been signed justified, effective and consistent in the Local Plan for development. and formally agreed by the constituent with Government policy set out in the Document (I&O1), was published However, following this consultation authorities (Basildon, Brentwood, National Planning Policy Framework in February 2016 and focused and based on the responses received, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on- (NPPF) and the Planning Practice on thematic policy areas. The a preferred broad spatial strategy for Sea, and Thurrock). The SoCG sets out Guidance (PPG). purpose of the Issues and accommodating Thurrock’s future ASELA’s intention to prepare a Joint Options (Stage 2) consultation needs will be developed and consulted Strategic Plan (JSP) to cover their Whilst the Council does have an on. This further consultation (likely to administrative areas. The JSP will set adopted Local Plan in place, in is to seek your views about how be in the summer of 2020) will strongly out a wider vision and spatial strategy February 2014, the Council decided to Thurrock should develop and influence decisions about which sites for the development of South Essex commence work on a new Local Plan in grow in the future and where, in should be developed. including a range of high level strategic order to respond to a number of major broad terms, new development policies which will establish the scale challenges. These included: should be located to meet and distribution of new housing, identified needs. employment, retail and town centre • The need for a more up-to-date development across South Essex, statutory planning framework to co- together with supporting infrastructure ordinate the delivery of the Council’s priorities over the plan period to 2038. ambitious growth strategy for Thurrock • The revocation of the East of England Although the JSP will identify a Plan and the requirement for local range of broad strategic locations planning authorities to undertake and priorities for new development a fresh assessment of their future and infrastructure delivery, it will not development needs allocate specific sites for development • The need for the Council to identify which will continue to be determined a deliverable five year housing land locally through the Local Plan process supply and bring forward more sites and community involvement. for development to support economic growth • A need to consider the possible impacts of a decision by Government on the route and location of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing (LTC)

7 How will communities & key How will the Local Plan be stakeholders be involved in the prepared going forward? process?

Preparation of the Local Plan Community and stakeholder Consultation mechanisms include, but must follow a number of stages engagement is an important are not limited to: Scoping Content to ensure that local people and and central feature of the • Making consultation documents stakeholders are fully engaged planning system. The Council is available on the Council’s website; in the process and its content keen to engage as many people is based on robust evidence, as possible in the preparation • Providing hard copies of consultation the proper consideration and Issues and Options (Stage 1) of the Local Plan as it enables documents for inspection at the testing of alternative strategies February 2016 local people with local insight Civic Offices in Grays and in libraries across the Borough; and then finally, external to become directly involved in examination by an independent place shaping in the Borough. • Continuing engagement through planning Inspector appointed the Local Plan Residents Forum, by the Secretary of State. These Issues and Options (Stage 2) As part of the process, the Council Youth Forum, Developer Forum and has prepared an updated Statement December 2018 Business Forum; stages of work are summarised of Community Involvement (SCI) in Figure 1. which sets out how all sectors of the • Organising ‘drop in’ events via the community can become involved in the ‘Local Plan Roadshow’ to allow It is anticipated that the Local Plan planning process and how the Council people to come along and share will be adopted by the Council in Draft Local Plan will maximise publicity of its planning their views in person; 2022. However, due to the nature of documents. the work involved, the programme June 2020 • Setting up online polls to allow more for preparing the plan will need to be people to have their say on the big kept under regular review as it cannot questions; be submitted for examination and adoption until after the conclusion Publication Draft of • “Your Place, Your Voice” – of both the adoption of the JSP and the Local Plan Community ‘Planning for Real’ Lower Thames Crossing decision- September 2021 consultation events; and making process. • Duty to Cooperate Workshops for For more details on the Local Plan work key stakeholders. programme please see the latest Local Submission and Development Scheme (LDS) (www. Examination thurrock.gov.uk/localplan). From February 2022

Adoption September/October 2022

Figure 1: Local Plan Stages of Preparation

8 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

All consultation responses received, together with a summary of how they INFORMATION have been taken into account in the preparation of the Local Plan, will The Local Plan Forums run be recorded in the Thurrock Local quarterly and have been Plan Consultation and Engagement created to ensure that the Statement, which will be submitted to plan is influenced by local the Inspector for consideration as part people, businesses and key of the Local Plan Examination process. stakeholders. Members This document will be published of Community, Youth and alongside each stage of the plan- Residents forums will be making process so that people can see involved throughout the how their views are helping to shape preparation of the Local Plan, the development of the Local Plan. interrogating evidence and being party to the challenging decisions which need to be made at each stage of the plan-making process.

If you are interested in joining one of the Local Plan Forums, please contact a member of the Growth and Strategy Team using the details at the back of this document.

9 What information will be used to inform the Local Plan?

Local Plans must be based Technical studies completed/ • Thurrock Active Place Study 2017 on robust evidence about commissioned include: the economic, social and • Thurrock Whole of Plan and CIL QUESTION 1: Viability Baseline Study 2017 environmental characteristics • South Essex Strategic Housing As the development of the Plan Market Assessment 2016 progresses additional evidence will and prospects of the area. Much • Thurrock Development Capacity need to be prepared. What other of the evidence is of a technical • South Essex Strategic Housing Study evidence based studies do you nature and is not described in Market Assessment Addendum think the Council needs to consider detail in this document. Report 2017 • Thurrock Strategic Flood Risk undertaking to ensure that the Plan Assessment Update 2018 is sound? Further information on how some of • Thurrock Housing Land Availability • Grays Town Centre Area the emerging studies and their findings Report 2017 Development Framework Update and conclusions are already helping to shape the plan-making process • Thurrock Green Belt Stage 1 • Thurrock Integrated Landscape is described in more detail in the Assessment 2018 Character Assessment and following sections of the Consultation Sensitivity Evaluation 2018 Document. If you would like to read or • South Essex Economic Development obtain a copy of these technical studies Needs Assessment 2017 • Integrated Sustainability Appraisal and reports they can be found on the 2018 Council’s Local Plan website: www. • Thurrock Employment Land thurrock.gov.uk/localplan. Availability Assessment 2017 • Lakeside Area Development • South Essex Retail Study 2018 Framework Update

• Thurrock Town and Local Centre • Thurrock Transport and Health Check Assessment 2018 Infrastructure Baseline Study

• Thurrock Vision for Movement

10 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

11 Land Availability Assessment

A starting point for identifying Any locations identified through this a development strategy and process will then be assessed and locations for growth is to look considered further by the Council for allocation within the emerging Local at the potential availability Plan. of land for development. Therefore, a key early stage in To date, the Council has undertaken the plan-making process is the three ‘Call for Sites’ exercises which requirement for local authorities has led to over 250 sites and broad locations being submitted for to undertake a formal ‘Call for consideration as part of the plan- Sites’, whereby landowners, making process. This has been stakeholders and the local supplemented by a range of sites that community are invited to have been previously considered in identify sites or broad areas of other plans or submitted as planning land for development. applications. This includes sites suggested for a wide range of uses to meet Thurrock’s future housing, gypsy and traveller, employment, retail, leisure, and waste and minerals needs. Figure 2 maps out the distribution of sites and the broad mix of uses which will be assessed through the plan- making process and considered for allocation in the emerging Local Plan.

Further information, including details on how to submit a site or broad location for consideration by the Council, can be found on the Council’s Local Plan website (www.thurrock.gov. uk/localplan).

12 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Figure 2: Call for Sites Map 13 How will the Local Plan How will the Local Plan relate to other Plans and relate to the Plans of Strategies for the area? neighbouring authorities?

Partnership working and co- The Council is working jointly The Duty to Cooperate is not a Thurrock forms part of the South Essex ordination of strategies are key on strategic priorities with duty to agree. But local planning Housing Market Area and as such features of the planning system. other authorities in South authorities should make every effort the Local Authorities already work to secure the necessary cooperation very closely together on planning for The Council is therefore liaising Essex, London and beyond. on strategic cross boundary matters housing, economic, transport, flood with relevant bodies who also This is known as the Duty to before they submit their Local Plans for risk and infrastructure delivery and prepare strategies which have Cooperate. examination. growth. By virtue of its proximity to an impact on the Borough. London and its strategic location next The Duty to Cooperate was created Local planning authorities must to the M25 and the Dartford Crossing, demonstrate how they have complied the wider geography for engaging This includes those organisations in the Localism Act 2011 and places a with the duty at the independent through the Duty to Cooperate process involved in the delivery of health, legal duty on local planning authorities, examination of their Local Plans. If also includes working with the London education, transport and environmental county councils in England and public a local planning authority cannot Mayor’s Office and the Greater London services together with those companies bodies to engage constructively, demonstrate that it has complied with Authority (GLA), together with local involved in the provision of public actively and on an ongoing basis to the duty then the Local Plan will not be authorities across Essex and North utilities. This is to ensure that the plans maximise the effectiveness of Local able to proceed further in examination. Kent on a range of Duty to Cooperate and strategies of all these key delivery and Marine Plan preparation in the matters, including housing, transport partners are consistent and in broad context of strategic cross boundary Local planning authorities will need to and minerals and waste issues. alignment with the emerging local plan matters. satisfy themselves about whether they strategy, thereby ensuring the provision have complied with the duty. As part Through the ongoing development of necessary supporting infrastructure of their consideration, local planning of the Local Plan evidence base and at the right time and in the right place authorities will need to bear in mind discussions with the various Duty to support Thurrock’s future growth that the cooperation should produce to Cooperate bodies the Council aspirations. effective and deliverable policies on has identified a series of key cross strategic cross boundary matters. boundary issues which both the wider strategic plan-making process and the Thurrock Local Plan will need to consider and address. These are summarised in Figure 3.

14 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

• Planning to meet future housing needs – the scale and distribution of development across South Essex QUESTION 2: • Addressing the needs of Gypsies and Travellers and Do you feel that all of the Travelling Showpeople relevant cross boundary • Planning for economic growth – the scale issues have been identified? and distribution of development and required If not, please state what infrastructure improvements other key strategic issues • Managing the development of the strategic network of the Council will need to centres – scale, distribution and phasing of growth consider and address with • Recreation and leisure provision stakeholders and partners. • Health and Wellbeing • Infrastructure planning and delivery – identification, funding and phasing of strategic and local infrastructure provision to support growth (transport, utilities, community, health, education, leisure and digital infrastructure) • Training, skills and accessibility to employment opportunities • Maintaining the integrity of the Metropolitan Green Belt • Strategic Green Infrastructure – management, maintenance and protection of strategic assets • The River Thames • Protecting and conserving the historic and natural environment • Managing Flood Risk • Climate Change • Minerals and Waste – Thurrock’s future role in meeting local, regional and national needs • Potential Lower Thames Crossing • Potential Thames Tidal Barrier • Cross Rail 2

Figure 3: Cross Boundary Issues 15 South Essex 2050 Ambition

“South Essex: the place to live, By 2050, the ambition is that all new Implementation of the South Essex The JSP will also provide a reference the destination to visit and the development will be located in the 2050 Ambition will be steered through framework for the preparation of a most sustainable locations, will be of the Association of South Essex Local Strategic Transport Framework, to sit place for business to thrive” the highest quality, will support the Authorities (ASELA) and a number under the three current statutory Local emerging local industrial strategy of inter-related workstreams have Transport Plans (LTPs) and to form part In the Autumn of 2017, the Leadership priorities and will be well-connected by been initiated to do this. These cover of the JSP. The Strategic Transport of the South Essex Councils (Essex, a fully integrated transport system and strategic infrastructure priorities, a Framework would be prepared by the Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, framework of green spaces. local industrial strategy, developing a three Highway Authorities for South Rochford, Southend and Thurrock) ‘South Essex’ growth proposition and Essex, namely Thurrock and Southend embarked upon a programme of work The current estimated need for housing the development of a statutory Joint Unitary Authorities and Essex County which would lead to a shared ‘place across South Essex is 90,000 dwellings Strategic Plan. Council, with partners including the ambition,’ and greater collaboration over the next 20 years but with the local planning authorities. on strategic priorities to support long right conditions to support growth, The Statement of Common term growth across South Essex. more could be achieved. As part of Ground (SoCG) sets out how the This was initiated in response to the consideration of long term spatial spatial strategy workstream will recognition that there was a need to options, the authorities are therefore be implemented through a new work more effectively on strategic exploring whether the development of local planning ‘portfolio’, with a planning matters across South new ‘Garden’ communities could offer Joint Strategic Plan providing the Essex and maximise the potentially a strategic solution to growth. The overarching framework within which significant opportunities that strategic new communities could significantly more focused local development plans collaboration could bring to the area. enhance housing opportunities and will be prepared (see Figure 4). community facilities for local people, The ‘South Essex 2050 Ambition’ sets and support new commercial and out how growth and development will employment hubs, creating centres of be distributed across the sub-region business excellence within the sectors and the positive effect it will have on of industrial opportunity. the economy, together with a coherent framework for delivery of the right type and scale of infrastructure to support SE2050 priorities South Essex Planning Portfolio 2018 growth. Operating together, the South (Infrastructure (Managed through a statement of Common Ground / MoU) Essex strategic growth assets could priorities, Local provide the infrastructure for people Industrial Strategy) and businesses to experience a fully Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) Local Development Plans (LDPs) Implementation Plan connected place (nationally and High level planning framework Local planning documents aimed Will support delivery internationally) where they can take Government for local delivery plans setting at managing areas of change of the planning advantage of the unrivalled potential Support on offer in one area – business growth, out the overarching Spatial or supporting neighbourhood portfolio (JSP and employment opportunities, varied Strategy, housing target planning LDPs) and distribution, strategic and interesting communities to live Thames Estuary Employment areas, key transport LDPs will be prepared alongside in and a rich diversity of cultural and 2050 Commission and other infrastructure the JSP but will need to be recreational experiences to enjoy. Outputs priorities, strategic Development reviewed at key stages to ensure Opportunity Areas alignment

Figure 4: The South Essex Local Plan Portfolio 16 Scope and focus of the South Essex Joint Strategic Issues & Options (Stage 2) Plan (JSP) The strategic evidence base

The South Essex 2050 Ambition • Cross-cutting themes: including In order to inform the will be delivered over the next promoting social cohesion; healthy preparation of the JSP, the 30 years, with some of it fully and inclusive growth; high quality South Essex Councils have development and design; supporting realised within the timeframe sustainable development; climate commissioned a number of of the current South Essex JSP change strategic housing, economic, (period 2018-2038). Other • Overall levels of housing provision to retail, transport, infrastructure longer-term components will be be provided throughout the plan- and open space technical delivered beyond this timescale period (and to 2050) studies. This includes the • Local industrial strategy priorities but will be included in future and spatial implications (including production of a Strategic reviews of the JSP, as the plan’s what type of employment land is Growth Locations Study which timeframe is rolled forward. needed and where). will set out a range of strategic • Strategic transport and options for meeting South The JSP will provide the strategic infrastructure priorities Essex’s future housing needs context for the statutory development • Natural environment and over the period to 2038 and plan portfolio and will be prepared resources, including green and blue jointly by the South Essex Councils and infrastructure, flood risk beyond to 2050. The Study Essex County Council. Its scope will • Implementation and Monitoring will identify potential strategic therefore be focused on the strategic Framework locations for growth and policy matters that are common across provide a high level assessment all six local planning areas as follows: The South Essex Local Planning of the infrastructure needs, Portfolio will also rely on the policies • South Essex Spatial Strategy: set out in the National Planning Policy costs and delivery mechanisms distribution of growth, strategic Framework (NPPF) and will therefore associated with each of the housing and employment not duplicate any nationally set broad locations identified for development locations, town centre policies, unless there are specific local development as part of the hierarchy and setting the long term circumstances that justify a deviation preferred option set out in the extent of the Green Belt from this. However, there may be a JSP. It will then fall to each of • Strategic Areas of Opportunity need for supplementary planning (SAO) and the role of each guidance in addition to the NPPF, the South Essex Councils to to provide a local interpretation and further develop and plan for implementation of national policy. their delivery through the Local Plan process.

17 Relationship of the Thurrock What is the status of the Core Strategy and Local Plan to the South Essex other planning policy documents now that Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) the Council is preparing a new Local Plan?

It is intended to submit the Both the evidence collected for the The Council adopted the Core The policies within the Core Strategy JSP for Examination in March Thurrock Local Plan and the public Strategy in December 2011. will continue to be used in decision 2020 with its adoption targeted responses received in respect of The Core Strategy sets out the making until the Thurrock Local Plan the Issues and Options (Stage 2) is adopted. However, as work on the for late 2020. In parallel, the Consultation process will be used to Council’s vision, spatial strategy Local Plan progresses, emerging South Essex authorities are also help inform the development of the and core policies for the policies could start to influence twin tracking the production JSP. This will include the identification development of Thurrock. decisions on planning applications. of their own individual Local of broad strategic areas for Once the Thurrock Local Plan is Plans which will need to plan development and any key supporting Following the publication of the adopted it will replace the Core strategic infrastructure improvements National Planning Policy Framework Strategy. All recently adopted for the delivery of the strategic required to support their delivery. (NPPF), the Council identified a Supplementary Planning Guidance development needs identified number of policies in the Core Strategy documents, including the Thurrock by the JSP at the local and site A copy of the Thurrock Local which required updating to ensure that Design Guide, will also be revised specific level. Development Scheme 2018 (LDS) is they were in full conformity with the in parallel with the preparation of available to view on the Council’s Local NPPF. These policies were adopted in the Local Plan to ensure the proper Reflecting the decision to prepare the Plan website (www.thurrock.gov.uk/ January 2015. alignment of policy across all planning JSP, the Council is required to publish localplan). documents. a new Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets out the suite of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) which will be prepared to guide the future development of the Borough.

Published alongside this Issues and National National Options (Stage 2) Consultation Planning Planning Planning Policy Waste Document, the Thurrock LDS July Practice Policy for Traveller Site Planning 2018 sets out the programme and Guidance key milestones involved in preparing Framework Policy the JSP, the Thurrock Local Plan, supporting DPDs and non-statutory Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). Figure 5 sets out the proposed South Essex Minerals Neighbourhood Thurrock Local suite of DPDs and SPDs which it is Joint Strategic & Waste Plans Plan proposed to prepare for Thurrock. Plan Local Plan (if required)

Thurrock Planning Additional SPDs Design Obligations (if required) Guide SPD

Figure 5: Proposed Thurrock LDS Development Plan and Supplementary Planning Documents 18 What are Neighbourhood Plans and how will the Issues & Options (Stage 2) Minerals and Waste Local Plan affect them?

As both a Unitary and Minerals The Localism Act 2011 Through producing a Neighbourhood If you or your local community and Waste Planning Authority introduced new rights Plan, communities can take the lead on are considering producing a (MPA), Thurrock is required and powers to allow local developing planning policies for their Neighbourhood Plan, we would local area, as long as certain rules are recommend that you speak to a to plan for the provision of an communities to shape how their followed and any Plans and policies are member of the Growth and Strategy adequate and steady supply of local areas develop and change in general conformity with the strategic Team in the first instance. Contact mineral resource to meet future by preparing a Neighbourhood policies set out in the Local Plan. details can be found on the back page needs and the management Development Plan (NDP) or of this document. of waste in accordance with Neighbourhood Development At the time of publication, the Council has not received any formal the principles of sustainable Orders (NDOs). In Thurrock, applications by community groups to development. only designated Neighbourhood be designated as a Neighbourhood Forums are able to produce an Forum and/or received any official At a local level, extant minerals and NDP and NDOs. requests for support. waste planning policy guidance is set out in the Thurrock Core Strategy and Policies for Management of Development (January 2015). However, it is recognised that there will be a need to up-date the existing policy approach to better align with future growth needs and changing national policy requirements. In order to address this, the Council is proposing to prepare a separate and stand alone Thurrock Minerals and Waste Local Plan as an alternative to the inclusion of new policy guidance within the body of the emerging Thurrock Local Plan. Adopting this approach would provide the Council with greater flexibility in order to better align the wider minerals and waste planning process across Essex.

19 How will the Council assess the environmental impacts of the emerging Local Plan?

Undertaking a Sustainability A failure to undertake the sustainability In February 2016 the Council issued Appraisal (SA) of the Local appraisal properly can expose the Plan a Local Plan SA Scoping Report for INFORMATION Plan is an essential part of to legal challenge. public consultation alongside the Issues and Options (Stage 1) Consultation As required by legislation, the plan-making process. The The SA of the emerging Local Plan Document. The purpose of the Scoping an Integrated Sustainability sustainability appraisal must will be an Integrated Sustainability Report was to set the context and Assessment (ISA) has address the legal requirements Appraisal (ISA). This will incorporate objectives which would form the been prepared to inform of the Strategic Environmental the requirements of the SA/SEA baseline for the SA and to determine consideration of the Issues and Assessment (or SEA) Directive. process and, in line with statutory the scope of the study. Options (Stage 2) Consultation requirements and best practice, will Document. A copy of this also include a: Following the close of the consultation document and the revised SA period, the Council has updated Scoping Report is available • Health Impact Assessment (HIA) – elements of the scoping report which to view on the Council’s Local an examination of the plan’s impacts are presented in the SA of the Plan. Plan website (www.thurrock. on people’s health and well-being; In addition to the requirement to gov.uk/localplan). and an undertake an SA of the Local Plan, the Council is also required to prepare a The Council also intends to • Equalities Impact Assessment Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) set up an external Integrated (EqIA) - an examination of the plan’s which will provide an examination of Sustainability Assessment impact on different groups in the the plan’s impact on internationally Stakeholder Reference community. designated sites for nature Group to facilitate the wider conservation (or ‘European sites’). involvement of prescribed Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is an Duty to Cooperate bodies iterative process which is closely Thurrock Council recognises that any and other organisations in the integrated with the overall process of Local Plan, which would see an increase process of preparing the ISA. preparing a Local Plan. Its role is to in the borough’s population by as much The Council would welcome promote sustainable development by as 40,000, must prioritise limiting any nominations from all interested assessing the likely significant effects associated rise in air pollution. parties to become Members of of the plan and the extent to which the the ISA Stakeholder Reference plan, when judged against reasonable Thurrock’s Local Plan will set out Group. alternatives, will help or hinder the clear and precise plans to alleviate achievement of relevant environmental, the resulting impact on Thurrock’s For further details on how to economic and social objectives. The residents from all pollutants including be involved please contact the staged approach to SA is designed to but not limited to: Growth and Strategy Team align with each key stage of the plan- • sulphur oxides using the details at the back of making process. • carbon monoxide this Document. • nitrogen oxides • volatile organic compounds • particulates • persistent free radicals • toxic metals • chlorofluorocarbons • ammonia • odours 20 What will happen if the Council doesn’t prepare a new Local Plan and Issues & Options (Stage 2) meet our future development needs?

The Government has legislated The NPPF 2018 introduces a Housing In addition to the threat of intervention through the Neighbourhood Delivery Test which will measure a and possible sanctions from Planning Act 2017 the Council’s performance of delivery Government, an ongoing failure to of housing over a three year period. adopt a sound and deliverable Local requirement for all areas to be Where delivery falls below 95%, the Plan would also: covered by a Local Plan. council will be required to introduce an action plan to assess the causes of • Increase the amount of local people Where a local authority fails to meet under-delivery and identify actions who struggle to access decent or this requirement, the Secretary of to increase delivery in future years. affordable housing in the Borough; State has the power to intervene and Where housing delivery falls below direct the review and/or preparation 75%, the presumption in favour of • Undermine efforts by the Council of a Local Plan which, depending sustainable development will be to boost the supply of affordable on the circumstances, could be triggered, rendering policies in the housing through a lack of viable and undertaken by another authority or Local Plan as being out of date. This deliverable sites for development; jointly in partnership with surrounding could potentially make it easier for authorities. In all instances, the failing developers to get planning permission • Undermine opportunities to support authority could be liable to pay the full for housing development on appeal the future regeneration and renewal or a proportion of the costs involved in to the Secretary of State, resulting of existing local centres and producing the Local Plan. in sporadic development across the communities; Borough (possibly in the Green Belt) The National Planning Policy and a failure to maximise the benefits • Prevent the provision of new Framework requires Local Plans to that future housing could bring to the community infrastructure which identify a supply of specific deliverable local community. Failure of the Council needs to be delivered on large sites, sites to meet the housing needs of to produce a Local Plan that allocates such as primary and secondary the area for 5 years, with a further land for development will result in schools, due to a lack of suitable supply of developable sites (or at least a drop in housing delivery against large sites in the urban area and the locations for them) for years 6-10 established targets and the likelihood constraining nature of the Green Belt and, where possible, for years 11-15. of sanction under the housing delivery boundaries in Thurrock; A Local Plan that does not meet the test. requirement could be found unsound • Raise a serious risk that, without through the Local Plan Examination an adequate supply of housing to process. meet workers needs locally, firms could relocate or switch investment to other locations as workforce availability declines. Alternatively, if job growth continues without the necessary housing growth, increased levels of in-commuting are likely to result, thereby putting additional strain on existing transport networks.

21 Issues and Options (Stage 1) – February 2016

In February 2016 the Council The process for preparing and launched its first formal adopting Local Plans is set out SECTION 2: consultation on the emerging in the Town and Country (Local Local Plan. Since this Planning) (England) Regulations consultation, the Council has 2012. When preparing a new PREVIOUS undertaken a series of informal Local Plan, Regulation 18 directs consultation activities with that a local planning authority communities to deepen its should both invite, and consider, understanding of the issues representations from specific CONSULTATION and opportunities that exist consultation bodies, local in the borough. A summary residents or other persons of these consultations and the carrying on business in the local RESPONSES issues they raised are set out in planning authority’s area about this section. what a local plan ought to contain.

On 24 February 2016, the Council undertook a 6 week public consultation on the Local Plan Issues and Options (Stage 1) Document, the Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report and the Draft Thurrock Design Strategy. The purpose of the consultation was to obtain the views of stakeholders, local businesses and the community on the key issues that the Local Plan will need to address in order to meet Thurrock’s future development needs. In total, 70 organisations responded formally to the Issues and Options (Stage 1) consultation raising 548 separate comments. An additional 500 comments were received from members of the community at events organised to promote the consultation. A summary of the key issues raised by respondents is set out in Table 1. A full record of the comments received and the Officers response to these representations is set out in the Thurrock Local Plan Issues and Options (Stage 1) Report of Consultation which is available to view on the Council’s Local Plan website (www.thurrock.gov.uk/localplan). 22 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Table 1: Issues and Options (Stage 1) - Summary of key comments Comments from Duty to Cooperate bodies Comments from Landowners, Businesses and Developers The Local Plan must: The Local Plan process must: • Consider through the Duty to Cooperate process the need for Thurrock to • Consider the development of a new spatial strategy which goes beyond the contribute towards meeting any unmet future housing needs from other current approach of focusing investment and development within the existing authorities, including London and Southend in particular; urban area and the established Economic Growth Hubs in order to meet • Ensure that residential developments are supported by health facilities, in Thurrock’s future development needs; order to combat existing health inequalities experienced at a local level; • Undertake a full review of the Green Belt to identify additional land to meet • Consider the requirement for Thurrock to make additional provision to meet future housing and employment needs consistent with the approach set out in Basildon’s unmet Gypsy and Traveller needs; the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); • Support the delivery of the Thames Vision which promotes the retention • Consider the allocation of land to meet the future housing needs of London of riverside industry and employment locations, and the protection and and neighbouring South Essex authorities in addition to meeting Thurrock’s enhancement of the distinctive riverscape in terms of water quality, wildlife own Objectively Assessed Housing Needs (OAHN) in full; and attractiveness as an open space; • Consider reviewing the Borough’s retail hierarchy and the relative roles of • Consider the impacts of any planned expansion or change to port facilities Lakeside and Grays Town Centre in accommodating future strategic retail along the Thames within Thurrock on Medway’s port infrastructure; needs over the plan period; • Safeguard wharfs in Thurrock for the importation of marine dredged and • Establish a “town centre first” policy approach to the location of town centre other mineral resources into the region; uses with a policy to resist further out of centre retail development to support • Consider the future role of Lakeside and the need to manage the scale and the retail led regeneration of Grays Town Centre; nature of its development in order to safeguard the viability and vitality of • Plan positively for growth by supporting the transformation of Lakeside into other strategic centres in South Essex, North Kent and East London; a regional town centre with Intu Lakeside providing the best location for new • Recognise Thurrock’s future role in meeting London and the wider South retail (comparison retailing) and leisure development in the Borough; East’s waste needs; • Ensure existing centres including Grays and Intu Lakeside can provide for • Consider the future implications of strategic transport improvements future shopping needs of Thurrock. Further development outside these including the Lower Thames Crossing; and centres is not required and identified needs should be focused on maintaining • Support the delivery of an enhanced public rights of way network accessible and enhancing existing centres; to all users (walkers, cyclists, equestrians and the disabled) including • Plan positively to maximise the economic benefits that will arise following the increased access to the Borough’s open spaces. development of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing; • Support the future commercial viability and expansion of the ports through continued investment in new infrastructure, housing, education and skills development; • Identify additional sites for dedicated truck parks to meet future demand and reduce the environmental and transport impact of logistics related traffic growth on the Borough; • Recognise the importance of protecting the role played by the River Thames in supporting economic growth; • Allocate land for the development of new waste and renewable energy facilities which recognises Thurrock’s strategic location and the current availability of sites for new development; and • Recognise the importance and value of Thurrock’s green infrastructure and heritage assets in supporting the delivery of wider economic, environmental, health, community and transport objectives.

23 Watch this Place Your Place, Your Voice Washing Line Community Planning Events

Comments from Local Residents and Community Groups Following on from the success of The ‘Your Place, Your Voice’ The Local Plan process will need to consider: the Local Plan Roadshows and community planning events • The lack of affordable housing available to local people; the burning issues board, the were devised in response to • The need for new homes to be built near transport hubs and existing Council decided to host some comments that residents felt community facilities and services like schools and doctors; additional Local Plan Roadshows overwhelmed by the technical • The need for new homes to be built in areas where they can support the over the summer months in nature of planning consultations delivery of better community facilities and services; 2016. These events piggybacked and the volume of council • The preferred location for new homes should be on brownfield sites; • The need for better health, education and community facilities to meet local on existing festivals that were consultations that all seem needs; already being held across the to ask similar questions. The • The need for more activities to be provided for young people; borough. The Council ran an community planning events • Addressing the adverse impact of lorry movements in residential areas; activity titled the ‘Watch this were run on a drop in basis, • The need for industrial and residential areas to be segregated in order to Place Washing Line’ at these giving local communities the minimise the impact of bad neighbour uses on local communities; • The need for better parking provision in town and local centres; events. The activity involved opportunity to feed into the • The requirement for improved standards of road maintenance and investment people writing the things Local Plan and other Council in Thurrock’s roads; they didn’t like about their documents and strategies • The need for better standards of design and a need to tackle the poor quality community/town on a pair of by participating in a range of of the environment and badly maintained public open spaces; paper pants and the things they informal and highly interactive • The provision of new public open spaces and sports and leisure facilities; did like about their community/ consultation activities. • Promoting the delivery of improved walking and cycling facilities; and • How to address the health impacts of poor air quality on local residents. town on a paper top. In total 17 events were held across In total this activity generated 462 the borough between February – responses. The majority of comments April 2018. The community planning relating to things that people liked events highlighted several borough about their local area were focussed wide and locally sensitive issues on community and environmental and opportunities that need to be assets like open spaces and play areas considered in the context of the although there was a recognition that emerging Local Plan. these facilities could and should be better maintained by the Council. In terms of things that people didn’t like about their local area, maintenance of the highways and the issue of litter featured prominently. Issues relating to the lack of/poor infrastructure provision were also notable.

24 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

These include but are not necessarily limited to the need to:

• Ensure that the provision of infrastructure is appropriately phased in relation to new development; • Plan for a range of housing types that address and respond to local needs and priorities – i.e. at the Corringham event it was noted that there was a specific local need for older person’s housing; • Focus on social infrastructure especially facilities for younger people; • Protect and improve key green spaces within communities; • Ensure that the integrity to the Green Belt is maintained; • Plan strategically for the provision of health facilities across the borough; and • Address issues relating to the movement of vehicles across the borough, including HGVs.

25 Key Issues and Challenges

The first task in preparing These sources of evidence have also the Local Plan is to identify been used to help develop the vision, SECTION 3: the issues or challenges that identify the objectives and shape the choice of options set out in this Thurrock faces. The key issues consultation document. Figure 6 that the Local Plan needs to sets out the emerging key issues and CHALLENGES address have been drawn challenges facing Thurrock. out from evidence from local strategies and technical studies, changing national policy, FOR THE FUTURE and continued community engagement including the responses received to the previous Issues and Options (Stage 1) public consultation.

26 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

• Reducing inequalities in the Borough; • Preparing for any impacts of climate QUESTION 3: • Improving the attractiveness of the change; Borough as a place to live, work, visit • Improving access to services, Are these key issues the right and invest; facilities and employment ones or are there any key • Securing sustainable economic opportunities; issues that you think have growth; • Relieving congestion which hinders been missed? • Addressing the need for housing in the movement of goods and people; the context of a probable shortfall • Increasing accessibility and across the South Essex strategic encouraging sustainable travel; housing market area; • Providing sufficient waste • Addressing affordable housing needs management facilities and providing across the Borough; for future mineral and aggregate • Providing the right type of housing needs; across the Borough to meet specialist • Improving health and well-being; needs and a shortage of Gypsy and • Improving air quality; Traveller sites; • Preventing threats to the character • Estates and community regeneration; and local distinctiveness of the • Meeting the land and property needs Borough; of the business community and • Protecting and enhancing the Thurrock’s major employers; Borough’s historic, built and natural • Port and logistics development; assets; • Maintaining vibrant and competitive • Protecting the key role played by the town centres; River Thames as an economic and • Provision of activities and spaces for environmental asset; young people; • Managing water quality and flood • Delivering the strategic and local risk; infrastructure improvements • Mitigating the impacts of the Lower required to support growth and Thames Crossing; and the regeneration of existing • Maximising the economic, housing communities; and accessibility benefits of the • Protecting the integrity of the Green Lower Thames Crossing. Belt including key gaps between urban areas and settlements; • Maintaining and protecting the distinctive character and setting of the Borough’s villages;

Figure 6: Draft Key Issues and Challenges 27 What do we want Thurrock to be like in 2038?

An important part of the Local • The scale and nature of the further • New challenges including a changing community which is proud of its Plan is its vision. This needs opportunities for driving forward economic climate which have heritage and excited by its diverse to set out our ambitions for economic growth and the need emerged since the adoption of the opportunities and future’. to ensure that the benefits of current Local Plan. Thurrock as a place and provide increasing prosperity are shared by The draft vision for the Local Plan a clear picture of what we want all sections of the community; The starting point in developing the reflects and elaborates upon the the Borough to be like in 2038 Local Plan vision is the Council’s Council’s corporate strategy and will and the role it plays as part of • The challenges of delivering a step corporate vision which is for Thurrock support its delivery. the wider 2050 vision for the change in the quality of Thurrock to be ‘an ambitious and collaborative as a place and the need to change development of South Essex. people’s perceptions of Thurrock as somewhere to live and work; Thurrock Council and its partners have an ambitious agenda to transform the • The opportunity to harness the Borough. Much has been achieved in future scale and distribution of recent years through the concerted housing and employment growth efforts of our partners to increase to act as a powerful catalyst for prosperity and enhance the lives transformational change and of those who live and work in the community regeneration; Borough but the agenda remains unfinished. • The need to address existing infrastructure deficits and support Preparing a new Local Plan has given future growth; us the chance to look afresh at what sort of place we want Thurrock to be • The need to plan for the economic, in the future and to address the key environmental, transport and social issues and challenges set out in the impacts of a possible Lower Thames preceding section. Crossing;

A new vision for Thurrock needs to be • The long term priorities and developed which takes account of: strategies of the Council and its partners; • Thurrock’s strategic location in close proximity to London, the M25 and • Cross boundary issues such as the as a Gateway to the World; scale and distribution of housing, employment, transport and strategic • The success of the Council and infrastructure provision across South partners in laying the foundations Essex; for the development and implementation of an ambitious • Changes to national policy, guidance growth agenda for Thurrock; and legislation since the adoption of the Core Strategy; and

Figure 7: Corporate Vision 28 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Local Plan Vision

“By 2038 Thurrock will have grown into a more prosperous, attractive and sustainable place to live and work, with improved QUESTION 4: quality of life and thriving communities. Galvanised by a Have we got the Local Plan generation of planned investment in the Borough’s transport vision right? Are there any infrastructure and enhanced by continually improving educational changes you would like us to attainment, the Borough will have secured its position as the consider? economic powerhouse of South Essex with a flourishing economy driven by port related industries, the logistics sector, new technologies and innovation, recognised for and characterised by a highly skilled, inclusive working population.

The delivery of high quality, desirable and affordable housing, tuned to local need and demand, has greatly stimulated what is now a buoyant housing market. More sustainable patterns of living will have been achieved throughout the Borough as a result of the successful development and expansion of its economic hubs, the successful creation of new mixed use developments, sustained environmental enhancements and key improvements to the public transport network.

The inherent quality of Thurrock’s natural and built environments including the riverfront areas will have continued to be celebrated and enhanced, creating places that people can be proud of, that build on the Borough’s distinctive and unique character through bold, imaginative and inclusive design”.

29 How do we get there?

To address the key issues Draft Strategic Objectives and take forward the vision, a number of strategic objectives • Improve accessibility to • Identify and deliver sufficient QUESTION 5: suitable development sites to have been identified through employment, local services and Are the objectives the facilities; meet Thurrock’s future housing, right ones? Are there any the Issues and Options (Stage employment and other needs; 1) consultation and the various • Reduce congestion; objectives that you think we evidence base work that has • Improve the health and well-being of have missed? been undertaken. • Support integrated and well- the Borough’s residents; connected public transport; • Retain an effective Green Belt; • Support the Borough’s economic success; • Maintain and enhance the Borough’s network of retail centres as a focus • Reduce the Borough’s carbon for shopping, leisure, business, footprint; housing and community activity;

• Provide an appropriate mix of high • Protect and enhance the Borough’s quality and affordable housing to tranquil areas; meet the needs of all sections of the community; • Reduce waste and meet future needs; • Ensure the delivery of an appropriate range of high quality • Conserve and enhance the community infrastructure and Borough’s built and natural services; environmental assets;

• Deliver regeneration and reduce • Value and protect the role played by inequality and social deprivation; the River Thames as an economic and environmental asset; and • Provide a range and choice of employment opportunities; • Ensure new development is well designed and future-proofed to • Promote, conserve and enhance the meet changing economic, social, special character and heritage of technological and environmental Thurrock; needs.

• Provide, improve and maintain a well designed network of green places and open spaces;

30 Policy Principles - How should development Issues & Options (Stage 2) take place?

The key issues that the Borough Policies dealing with the following need to set out an integrated policy 4. Protecting and enhancing the is facing, the objectives to be principles which are common to each framework which not only delivers character of existing communities pursued, and the choices for Option will be developed as part of the the homes and community facilities to Wherever possible new development Local Plan Preferred Option. meet local needs but also creates safe, should be located alongside or in close the broad approach to new accessible and healthy environments proximity to existing communities development have been set out. 1. Delivering the right infrastructure, for people to live in, free from the where there is a clear need or The Local Plan will also need in the right place and at the right time adverse impacts of poor air quality. opportunity to harness investment policies to make sure that new The delivery of new infrastructure Access to high quality open spaces and in new homes, while protecting and development contributes to to meet the needs of the local opportunities for sport and recreation enhancing the character of existing community and business is crucial to can make an important contribution communities and help fund the the delivery of the objectives the development of Thurrock as an to the health and well-being of regeneration of existing centres, and Government policy economically prosperous, attractive communities and the Local Plan will set without the overdevelopment of requirements. and healthy Borough. Following active out a policy framework for the delivery existing settlements which will engagement with local communities of new open spaces and sports and fundamentally alter their character. to identify the full range of new leisure facilities as part of the master infrastructure necessary to support planning and regeneration of both 5. Minimising Carbon Emissions planned growth, such as hospital existing and new communities. Policies will seek to minimise services, the Council will prepare an carbon dioxide emissions from new Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) 3. Meeting Thurrock’s Housing Needs development – with the aspiration of which will set out the funding and The provision of high quality and being as carbon neutral as possible implementation mechanisms needed to affordable housing, in particular low – and contribute to the longer term secure their delivery. In preparing the cost housing, which meets the needs target to reduce emissions and ensure IDP the Council will work closely with of all sections of the community is that developments are protected Government, infrastructure providers a key policy outcome for the Local from the impacts of climate change. and the development industry to align Plan. Policies will identify the scale Development should minimise the need investment priorities and strategies to and distribution of new housing to travel and encourage accessible ensure, where possible, the up-front development together with the neighbourhoods using public transport, provision of key strategic transport and necessary supporting community cycling and walking as a real alternative community infrastructure. and other infrastructure to ensure to car use. the development of balanced and 2. Positive Health and Well Being inclusive communities. In particular, it Impact is considered that there should be a Promoting and enhancing community particular emphasis on accelerating health and well-being is an important and increasing the delivery of a wide ‘golden thread’ which will run range of affordable housing products throughout the Local Plan. The including new Council housing together planning system can play a key role with specialist housing, to meet the in creating healthy and inclusive needs of those on low incomes and the communities and the local plan will elderly.

31 32 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

6. Maintaining an effective Green Belt 8. Meeting Employment Needs 10. Respecting the River Thames Thurrock’s Local Plan will prioritise Policies will need to recognise the Thurrock’s character and history is building on all viable brownfield sites. aspirations of the major businesses in interwoven with that of the River QUESTION 6: In order to meet Government policy the Borough to develop and expand Thames. In economic terms, the Ports Do you agree that these are objectives and to ensure everyone while also ensuring that development are of national significance and crucial has access to a decent and affordable occurs in the right locations to protect to the economy of the Borough, the right policy principles? home, the Council will have to consider and enhance the attractiveness of the London and the wider South East. Are there any policy releasing land from the Green Belt to Borough and make the best use of The river is also important as a natural principles that you think have accommodate the number of homes both existing and planned investment habitat which forms part of the wider been missed? and supporting community facilities in new infrastructure. Policy will also and unique riverscape which hosts required in Thurrock over the plan need to ensure the delivery of sufficient important heritage assets which period. Policies will need to ensure housing to meet the needs of workers contribute to Thurrock’s identity and that the Green Belt continues to be and the availability of an educated and sense of place. The Local Plan will need effective in protecting the character of skilled workforce to ensure the benefits to continue to recognise and exploit the the Borough and maintaining key gaps of ongoing job creation and economic economic opportunities arising from between urban areas and settlements. growth are accessible to all. Thurrock’s location by the river while The Local Plan will investigate: also respecting the need to protect (a) All Green Belt sites which have 9. Ensuring our Town Centres and enhance the distinctive riverscape, the potential to be improved continue to thrive heritage assets and unique biodiversity to provide much greater social Policies should enhance the and ecology. and environmental value to the accessibility, quality and vitality of Borough. the Borough’s network of centres 11. Managing Waste (b) All brownfield sites which have the as a focus for shopping, leisure, Provision will need to be made for ability to be re-designated as Green business and community activity. waste management facilities by Belt as part of a development This includes the transformation identifying sites and/or a policy proposal of Lakeside into a regional town enabling the use of appropriate land centre and the regeneration of the to ensure that targets are met and 7. Protecting and Delivering Quality in Borough’s traditional centres and the that waste can be managed locally. the Built Environment development of new centres in areas Mineral resources in the Borough will All new development will be required of proposed housing growth to create be protected and sites, preferred areas to meet high design standards and balanced and sustainable communities. or areas of search identified for the improve the overall quality of Thurrock Where appropriate, Inset Plans will set extraction of sand and gravel and other as a place to live and work. Consistent out more detailed planning, design and mineral infrastructure. Although these with national planning policy, the Local infrastructure related policies to guide matters will be addressed in a separate Plan together with the preparation of the future development of individual Minerals and Waste Local Plan, it will Master Plans and supporting Design Borough centres. remain important that the spatial Guides will provide developers with strategy set out in the Local Plan does comprehensive guidance on how to not prejudice the ability of the Borough plan for the delivery of high quality to meets its future minerals and waste design which incorporates ‘garden needs. community’ principles whatever the scale or type of development being considered.

33 Lower Thames Crossing

The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is a proposed new road crossing of the River Thames east of London that will connect Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Following consultation on a series of route options, the Secretary of State for Transport announced in April 2017 that the Preferred Route would connect the A2 in Kent, east of Gravesend, to the M25 in Essex, south of Junction 29, crossing under the River Thames by means of two bored tunnels.

The scheme as proposed in October 2018 sets out that the LTC will consist of approximately 23km of new roads connecting the tunnel to the existing road network, with two 4km tunnels to enable traffic to cross beneath the river. The new road scheme is proposed to be three lanes in both directions, with widening of the M2/A2 and the M25 at each end of the route.

An indicative plan of the proposed alignment of the Lower Thames Crossing is shown on Figure 8.

Figure 8: Indicative Plan of the proposed alignment of the Lower Thames Crossing 34 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

The Lower Thames Crossing is • Supports and does not constrain the expected to open by 2027, subject to ability of the Borough to meet its the necessary funding and planning future development needs, including approvals. an increase in housing delivery;

Notwithstanding the differing • Addresses the need to ensure the viewpoints on the merits or otherwise beneficial restoration or reuse of of the Government’s proposals for a land used in the construction of the new Thames Crossing in Thurrock, project; the preparation of the Local Plan must take into account the significant • Protects and enhances local access economic, environmental and routes and reduces the negative transport implications of any decision impact of severance on local by the Government to move forward communities; with the scheme. In this regard, the Local Plan must reflect and respond • Protects and improves transport to the following land use and planning connectivity both to, through, and considerations by providing an within Thurrock for local businesses effective planning policy framework and residents; and which: • Ensures that the cumulative • Safeguards the alignment of the environmental impacts (air quality, route including the location of cultural heritage, landscape, junctions; biodiversity, geology and soils materials, noise and vibration, people • Addresses the economic impacts and communities, rain drainage and of the proposal including the need water environment) of proposed to protect existing businesses and Local Plan allocations and the LTC promote future economic growth; are properly assessed and mitigated where necessary. • Helps mitigate the short, medium and longer term environmental Given the complex interrelationship impacts of the proposed crossing on that exists between the two processes, existing communities, settlements it should be noted that it will not be and the Borough’s historic assets possible for the Council to submit the and environmental infrastructure; Local Plan for Examination until such time as a final decision has been made on the route and location of the Lower Thames Crossing.

35 Context

One of the main purposes The standard method is set out in of a Local Plan is to set out national planning practice guidance SECTION 4: how much housing is needed, (NPPG) and is a simple calculation which uses the most recent national including specific types of household projections and the most housing and where these homes recent median workplace-based WHAT LEVEL should be located. Following the affordability ratios to calculate a abolition of the East of England minimum annual local housing need Regional Spatial Strategy in figure for each local authority area. Following the decision by the South 2013 (which set out housing OF GROWTH Essex authorities to strengthen the targets for its constituent local arrangements for strategic planning authorities), the Council has the across the area, the process of formally responsibility for identifying agreeing the future scale of new IS NEEDED - the housing ‘target’ in its Local housing development for Thurrock Plan, but this target must be will now be made through the process of preparing and adopting a Joint based on sound evidence and Strategic Plan (JSP). HOUSING? discussed with neighbouring local authorities under the Duty In preparing the JSP, it will remain to Cooperate process. important that any strategic decisions regarding the scale and nature of Over the past few years, Thurrock has future housing needs are fully reflective worked closely with neighbouring local of the capacity of the individual authorities in South Essex to prepare local authority areas to support the technical evidence (the Strategic levels of growth proposed, and that Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)) the scale and nature of the future that identified an ‘objective assessment housing provision being planned for of housing need’, taking into account meets local needs and supports wider population and household projections, economic, community and social policy affordable housing needs and bespoke objectives. In order to achieve this, it economic growth projections. However, remains crucial that the evidence base the recently published NPPF (July being developed in support of the 2018) sets out a requirement for a planning process and the views of the standardised methodology to be local community are used to inform the used to assess future housing needs, preparation of the JSP. This will help as the Government believes that ensure that the policy approach set out this will provide a more transparent in the JSP is realistic, deliverable and and consistent basis for Local Plan fully reflective of local needs and the production across the country. opportunity to create attractive places to live, work and enjoy.

36 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

37 Understanding how many homes we need

National planning policy states As such, the starting point for The Government’s proposed approach The standard method calculation (using that local plans should ‘positively preparing the Local Plan is the outlined in the consultation document 2014 based household projections seek opportunities to meet the assessment of housing need calculated is for the 2014-based household and the 2017 affordability ratio) using the standard method. As stated projections to be used as the identifies a need for 1,173 homes per development needs of their above, the standard method is a demographic baseline for assessment year in Thurrock. It should be noted area’ and that planning policies calculation which uses the most recent of local housing need, rather than the that unlike the assessment of housing should ensure that a local national household projections and the more recently published 2016-based need calculated in the SHMA 2017, authority’s objectively assessed most recent median workplace-based projections. The Government also the standard methodology fails to housing need calculated using affordability ratios to calculate a local proposes to review the standard consider whether any adjustments authority area’s minimum annual local methodology formula with a view to need to be made to the housing the standard method should housing need figure. The most recent establishing a new method by the time requirement to ensure that the be met unless there is a strong data consists of 2016-based household that the next set of projections are provision of new housing addresses reason for restricting the overall projections and the 2017 affordability published (the 2018-based household any imbalance between the available scale of development in an area ratio and ordinarily, it would be projections which are due to be labour supply and the projected rate of or if the adverse impacts of expected that these datasets would be published in 2020). job growth in the Borough. Therefore development would significantly used to calculate Thurrock’s minimum it will be necessary, through ongoing housing need. However, following the The implication of any further work on the Local Plan, to carry out and demonstrably outweigh the release of the 2016-based household adjustment to the standard method additional technical work to assess benefits. projections in September 2018, the on the calculation of Thurrock’s future the implications of using the standard latest assessment of housing need, at housing need is unclear at the present method to calculate housing need on both a local and national level, indicates time. However, it is clear that through the economic growth of the Borough. the need for a lower level of housing the course of the plan-making process than that forecast by the previous the minimum number of homes to be (2014-based) set of projections. planned for will fluctuate as updated Therefore the Government have household projections and affordability published a consultation to seek views data are released. It will therefore on changing the standard method be necessary for the development calculation outlined in the NPPF and strategy and policies in the Local Plan NPPG to ensure that the starting point to be sufficiently flexible to adapt to in the plan-making process continues changes in the forecast of local housing to be consistent with ensuring that need. 300,000 homes per year are built across the country by the mid 2020’s.

38 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

The Council could make a decision to Setting a housing target lower than apply an uplift to the housing need the objectively assessed housing need figure calculated using the standard calculated using the standard method method to ensure that the economic would require the Council to approach growth ambitions of the Borough are neighbouring authorities through achieved in a sustainable manner. the Duty to Cooperate process and Without an adequate supply of through the preparation of the JSP to housing to meet workers needs locally, see if they are able to accommodate there is the potential that firms could all or part of Thurrock’s unmet relocate or redirect investment to other housing need. Initial discussions with locations as workforce availability neighbouring local authorities indicate declines. Alternatively, if job growth that, at present, this is unlikely to be the were to continue without the required case. housing growth, increased levels of in- commuting are likely to result, putting additional strain on the local transport networks. The level of any additional adjustment to support the economic growth of the borough would need to be determined through further technical work.

Figure 9: Breakdown of Thurrock’s objectively assessed housing need figure calculated using standard method Number of Stage Adjustment dwellings per annum Starting point: 2014 household projections 2016-2026 853 (Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)) Affordability adjustment – house prices are much higher than local people can afford. Increasing supply +320 1,173 should help lower prices and make it easier for people to rent or buy a home of their own.

39 Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) QUESTION 7: To ensure that enough homes are Whilst the NPPF no longer requires local provided in Thurrock over the plan authorities to prepare a SHMA, it is considered period, which approach should to be a useful piece of up-to-date technical the Plan look to adopt? Are there evidence against which to benchmark the any other options that should be assessment of housing need calculated using considered? Please explain your the standard method. The NPPG also states that answer and reference supporting a higher housing need figure may need to be evidence to justify your response considered where a recent assessment of need, such as a SHMA, indicates a higher level of need Approach A – Set a housing than that proposed by the standard method target that mirrors our objectively calculation. assessed housing need calculated using the standard method In May 2017, the South Essex Authorities published an update to the South Essex Seek to allocate enough land SHMA which used 2014 based population and to meet Thurrock’s objectively household projections, together with bespoke assessed housing need calculated economic growth projections to identify the using the Government’s standard need for 4,000 new homes across South Essex method over the Plan period per year, from 2014 to 2037. The SHMA also identified the housing need figure for each Approach B – Set a housing target individual local authority within the housing higher than Thurrock’s objectively market area. assessed housing need calculated using the standard method to Thurrock’s housing need figure in the 2017 support increased economic SHMA update was assessed as being between growth in the borough 1,074-1,381 homes per year. However, the lower figure did not take account of the projected rate Seek to allocate enough land of economic growth in the Borough over the to meet Thurrock’s objectively plan period and therefore the higher figure was assessed housing need calculated considered to be a more realistic reflection of using the Government’s standard the future housing need in Thurrock. method over the Plan period with an additional uplift to the housing The 2016 Strategic Housing Market Update target to support economic growth and the 2017 Addendum to the South Essex in the borough. Strategic Housing Market Assessment are available to view on the Council’s website www. thurrock.gov.uk/localplan.

40 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Planning for affordable housing

Affordable housing is housing In considering what percentage of all for sale or rent, which is new residential development should be The 2017 Local Plan Viability provided to eligible households affordable, the Council has to consider a Study Baseline Report is QUESTION 8: number of things including land supply, available to view on the whose housing needs are not To help maximise the amount of viability and the availability of alternative Council’s website www. affordable housing delivered over met by the market (including delivery models. thurrock.gov.uk/localplan. It the plan period, which approach housing that provides a is worth noting that this study to setting an affordable housing subsidised route to home National policy states that pursuing explores the general viability target should the Plan look to ownership and/or is essential sustainable development requires careful of a set number of housing adopt? Are there other options attention to viability and costs in both typologies that reflect the type that should be considered? Please for local workers). There are plan-making and decision-making. Local of developments that could a number of different types reference supporting evidence Plans must be deliverable. Therefore, come forward in the Borough where possible. of tenure within the range of the sites and the scale of development in the future. It does not look affordable housing with the identified in the plan should not be subject at the viability of specific sites. Approach A – Borough Wide most common being social to such a scale of obligations and policy This study will be updated prior Affordable Housing Target rented, affordable rented and requirements that the ability for them to to submission of the Local Plan Set a borough wide affordable be developed viably is threatened. The to the Secretary of State and intermediate housing. housing target that is reflective of Local Plan Viability Baseline Report tests we welcome comments on its the minimum level of affordable the current affordable housing target content. housing that could be achieved on Thurrock has a significant need for of 35% against several generic housing the majority of sites in the borough more affordable housing across all typologies and concludes that this level of and seek to achieve higher tenures. This need was calculated in affordable housing is generally only viable developer contributions towards the 2016 South Essex Strategic Housing when looking at greenfield sites. This key infrastructure improvements. Market Assessment (SHMA) and was finding is consistent with delivery patterns updated in May 2017 in response to over the last few years as the majority of Approach B – Split Affordable updated demographic projections. The sites in the urban area are supported by net annual affordable housing need Housing Target viability statements indicating that the Set a split level affordable housing for the next five years was calculated required amount of affordable housing target that sets a lower target as 472 homes per year, rising to 663 under current policy cannot be met for previously developed land to homes per year for the remainder of on site without impacting the viability, incentivise development in these the plan period. If the identified annual and therefore delivery, of the overall areas and a higher target on requirement for affordable housing development. greenfield sites. were to be applied to the overall annual housing need, it would mean that 48% The Local Plan Viability Study Baseline Approach C – Site Specific of the total number of new homes built Report also tests the level of developer would need to be affordable housing. It Affordable Housing Target contributions that could be achieved Set a site specific affordable should be noted that further technical against different affordable housing housing target for allocated sites work will need to be carried out to targets. The report concludes that lower having regard to the individual determine an up-to-date assessment of affordable housing targets might be circumstances of each site with affordable housing need following the appropriate in some areas where there is a regard to the provision of key introduction of the standard method particularly high requirement for developer infrastructure improvements and of calculating overall housing need contributions towards infrastructure and overall development viability. and to take account of changes to other forms of mitigation. the definition of affordable housing contained within the NPPF. 41 Affordable Housing Tenures

Effective affordable housing provision is not just about INFORMATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING quantity; of equal importance QUESTION 9: Affordable Housing is housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs is ensuring the right type of What approach should the Council are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised take to addressing the need for the provision. The SHMA 2016 route to home ownership and/or is for essential local workers); and which various tenures of affordable housing? identifies the greatest need complies with one or more of the following definitions: Are there other options that should for affordable housing is from be considered? Please reference those requiring housing from a) Affordable housing for rent: housing where the rent is set in supporting evidence where possible. accordance with the Government’s rent policy for Social Rent or the affordable housing for rent Affordable Rent, or is at least 20% below local market rents. tenure. However, the NPPF sets Approach A – Prioritise the delivery of social rented housing units out that planning policies should b) Starter homes: new homes offered to younger people (under 40) at a This approach would deliver more expect at least 10% of homes on minimum 20% discount to the market price, with the discounted price homes that are genuinely affordable major development sites to be no more than £250,000. to more households and particularly available for affordable home those most in housing need. However, c) Discounted market sales housing: housing that is sold at a discount of ownership. This requirement following this approach may reduce at least 20% below local market value. the total number of affordable homes would form part of the overall delivered over the Plan period due to affordable housing contribution d) Other affordable routes to home ownership: this is housing that is reduced development viability. from a development site which provided for sale that provides a route to ownership for those who would have implications on the could not achieve home ownership through the open market. It Approach B – Prioritise the delivery includes shared ownership (allows purchasers to typically buy between amount of affordable rented of intermediate housing units (i.e. 25-75% of the equity of a property, relevant equity loans, other low shared ownership, starter homes) homes that could be delivered cost homes for sale (at least 20% below local market value) and rent to This approach meets the on any given housing site. buy (which includes a period of intermediate rent). Government’s objective of increasing home ownership rates by offering an Therefore, it should be noted that affordable route to home ownership further technical work will need to be for first-time buyers and households carried out to establish the affordable with lower incomes. housing needs of specific groups and to identify how the housing needs of Approach C – Allow the tenure mix these different groups can be met to be negotiated by the Council on a within a policy framework which site by site basis promotes the tenure of affordable This approach would allow the tenure home ownership over other types of mix to be negotiated through the affordable housing tenure. plan making and planning application processes, taking account of the Council’s most up to date evidence on housing need. Affordable Housing

42 Delivery of Affordable Issues & Options (Stage 2) Housing

The Council secures the The Government has recently majority of affordable housing announced plans to allow Councils to that is built in the borough borrow more money to enable them to QUESTION 10: directly provide additional affordable by requiring developers to Should the Council seek to increase homes in their area. The Council could the supply of affordable housing provide affordable dwellings as also take responsibility for the direct in the Borough by borrowing more part of open market housing provision of affordable housing by money to build new homes? developments (through Section requiring developers to provide land 106 Agreements). Affordable and S106 financial contributions to What other approaches could the housing is also delivered the Council rather than the developer Council take to increase direct directly making provision for affordable directly by the Council or provision of affordable housing in housing on development sites. It should the Borough? other Registered Providers (i.e. be noted that this approach will not housing associations) on sites necessarily increase the supply of owned and/or developed by affordable housing; it simply changes them. the delivery approach and subsequent ownership and management of the affordable housing units.

43 Meeting the needs of specific groups Housing Mix and Size

When planning for how the National policy highlights the In October 2015, the government Borough may change, it is importance of considering introduced a new housing standard important to consider the needs the size and type of housing called the Nationally Described QUESTION 11: Space Standard. This new standard of specific groups and plan for required once an overall housing Should the Council seek to adopt is designed to improve the quality of the Nationally Described Space a mix of homes and a range of target has been identified. The new-build housing by ensuring they Standard in the emerging Local sizes and types to meet both 2016 South Essex Strategic are built to an adequate size. This Plan? current and future housing Housing Market Assessment standard can only be applied locally needs. assesses the need for particular if it is adopted through the Local Plan and the need for such a policy is types of dwellings by looking appropriately evidenced. The Council National policy encourages Local Plans at an area’s existing housing is currently undertaking a review of to plan positively for a mix of housing recent planning applications to look at based on an assessment of the type of stock and comparing that with average dwelling sizes and how these people that live in the Borough both anticipated housing needs based compare with the Nationally Described now and in the future. This includes on population projections and an Space Standard. providing a mix of homes to meet area’s Housing Needs Survey. the needs of different groups such as families with children, older people, Figure 11 sets out the types of housing those with disabilities or particular required in Thurrock over the plan Figure 11 – Suggested Housing Mix support needs and those wishing to period. It should be noted that the build their own homes. figures contained in this table reflect Overall 1,173 the housing need figure identified in Housing Need (per annum) To date, these needs have been the SHMA (1,173 homes per annum) Detached considered on a sub-regional basis rather than the figure identified 3 bed or less 7% through the 2016 South Essex SHMA through the calculation of housing as Thurrock is part of the South Essex need using the standard method. 4 bed 4% housing market area. This assessment However, it is anticipated that whilst the 5 bed or more 1% notes that the housing needs of actual figures in the table will change Semi-detached older people in particular need to following an update to the assessment, be carefully planned for. Again, this the proportion of homes required 2 bed or less 9% assessment will need to be updated across each housing type is unlikely to 3 bed 23% to inform both the JSP and the Local be significantly different. Plan, following the recent publication 4 bed or more 4% of the updated NPPF. However, it Terraced is considered that the assessment 2 bed or less 9% included in the SHMA still provides a relevant context to aid discussion and 3 bed or more 22% understanding of how the housing Flat needs of specific groups could be met. 1 bed 11% 2 bed or more 10%

44 Housing for older people and Issues & Options (Stage 2) people with specialist needs

National policy requires local Like many areas of the country, Other vulnerable groups that may more independent living and a settled authorities to meet the specific Thurrock has an ageing population benefit from specialist or supported lifestyle, with access to education, accommodation needs of and an increase in all types of housing provision include young people training and employment. accommodation options for older leaving care, young single mothers, older people and people with people will be needed over the plan people fleeing domestic violence, It should be noted that the delivery specialist housing needs. period. The SHMA (2017) identifies that people suffering from addiction of specialist housing for older people, Offering attractive alternative the population of Thurrock residents problems and ex-offenders. Some people with disabilities and vulnerable housing choices for older aged 75 and over will increase by people that fall into these groupings people is not simply a planning issue. people and vulnerable groups approximately 9,300 over the period may require on-going support and The delivery of supported housing 2014 – 2037. The SHMA estimates that care in permanent supported housing of all types requires effective joint will assist in freeing-up family the additional demand for different accommodation whilst others may working between multiple agencies, eg. sized homes that are currently types of specialist accommodation need tailored support for a limited housing, health and voluntary sector, as under-occupied. (within the C3 Use Class) generated period in order to support them in to well as planning. by this population growth is for The Government’s reform of Health around 1,500 units, approximately 65 and Adult Social Care is underpinned specialist accommodation units per developments meet Building by a principle of sustaining people at year. In addition, the study estimates Regulation requirement M4 (3) home as long as possible. Therefore, that the growth in the population QUESTION 12: ‘wheelchair adaptable dwellings’. This accommodation for older people living in communal establishments (C2 To help better plan for the needs will ensure that sufficient homes are and vulnerable groups is moving Use Class) will be approximately 450 of older people and those with available to meet the housing needs towards more flexible forms of persons over the plan period, requiring specialist housing needs which of older and/or disabled residents. living and support, which seek to the provision of an average of 20 approach/es should the Council look maintain people’s independence; additional bed-spaces of C2 provision to adopt? Please explain your answer, Approach C: Allocate Sites for the for example, a self-contained home per year. referencing supporting evidence provision of Specialist Housing (C3 Use Class) within a site offering where possible. Allocate specific sites for the extra support facilities. People who In addition to the provision of housing provision of specialist housing (both are unable to live independently that meets the needs of older people, Approach A: All Dwellings Built to C2 and C3 Use Classes) to meet the require specialist residential or nursing the provision of appropriate housing M4 (2) Requirement needs of older people, people with care accommodation. This type of for people living with disabilities and Ensure that all new homes meet disabilities, and vulnerable people. accommodation usually falls within the other vulnerable groups is crucial Building Regulation requirement C2 Use Class. in ensuring that they live safe and M4 (2) ‘accessible and adaptable Approach D: Requirement for Large independent lives. The NPPF defines dwellings’. This will ensure that Residential Development Sites people as having a disability if they all new general needs housing to provide a specific amount of have a physical or mental impairment is suitable to meet the needs of Specialist Housing which has a substantial and long-term an older person, a person with Set a specific target/requirement for adverse effect on their ability to carry disabilities or a vulnerable person. the provision of specialist housing out normal day-to-day activities. These (both C2 and C3 Use Classes) persons include, but are not limited Approach B: 10% of New Dwellings suitable for the needs of older to, people with ambulatory difficulties, Built to M4 (3) Requirement on people, people with disabilities, and blindness, learning difficulties, autism Large Residential Developments vulnerable people on large residential and mental health needs. Ensure that at least 10% of all new development sites. homes on large scale residential

45 Ensuring that the needs Self –Build and Custom build of Gypsies, Travellers and housing Travelling Showpeople are met

Self-Build or Custom Build Local Planning authorities must housing is housing built or assess the need for Gypsies commissioned by individuals QUESTION 13: and Travellers and Travelling (or groups of individuals) to be To meet the demand for serviced Showpeople accommodation INFORMATION plots of land for self-build or occupied by themselves as their custom build housing, which in their areas and, if a need National policy sets out specific sole or main residence. For the approach should the Council look is identified, look for sites to criteria guiding the location purposes of planning policy, self- to adopt? provide for that need. and design of Gypsy and build and custom build dwellings Traveller sites, recognising share the same definition and the Approach A: Allocate specific The Council is still in the process of their particular characteristics. sites for the development of finalising the assessment of need for terms are used interchangeably. These criteria recognise that self-build/custom build housing. Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling sites may be located in rural Self-build is where a person is Please suggest specific sites if Showpeople accommodation to areas, but that new traveller directly involved in organizing appropriate. conform with national policy. However, site development in the open and constructing their home, once the full need is identified, the countryside that is away from whereas custom build is where a Approach B: Set a requirement for Council will consider how, and in existing settlements should be person commissions a specialist Large Residential Development what locations, it can seek to meet very strictly limited. sites to supply a proportion of the identified need through the developer to help to deliver their serviced dwelling plots for sale to plan-making process. Therefore, own home. Both routes require self-builders whilst the Call for Sites 2018 has now significant input from the home closed, the Council would welcome owner in the design process of any submissions of sites that may be the dwelling. suitable for use by Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople as The Self-Build and Custom permanent or transit sites through the Housebuilding Act 2015 places a duty consultation process. on local authorities to keep and have regard to a register of people who are interested in self-build or custom build projects in their area. In addition, local authorities are required to grant sufficient suitable development permissions on serviced plots of land to meet the demand, as evidenced by the number of people on the register, for self-build and custom build plots in their area. There are currently 63 individuals on this register. Whilst it is appreciated that this represents a relatively small proportion of the Borough’s housing need, the requirement to meet this need is something to be considered through the Local Plan process.

46 Location Of Housing Growth Issues & Options (Stage 2) – Spatial Options

Housing Land Supply The guidance also requires local The first five years of the trajectory planning authorities to issue a call for comprises planning application sites The National Planning Policy potential sites. This was undertaken that are under construction and Framework (NPPF) requires by the Council in 2015, 2016 and 2018, unimplemented planning permissions. INFORMATION and involved a wide range of groups, The windfall allowance is included in local planning authorities to organisations, landowners, agents years 1-5 as well, which is 111 dwellings A copy of the Draft Interim prepare Strategic Housing Land and developers. A total of 438 sites (37 dwellings x3 years, to avoid double Housing Land Availability Availability Assessments to were identified for assessment, which counting with sites that would likely Assessment Report will establish realistic assumptions included analysis of physical and policy have planning permission in the first be available to view at the about the availability, suitability, constraints, together with a separate two years of the trajectory). Council’s Local Plan website. assessment of their development and the likely economic viability (www.thurrock.gov.uk/ potential and economic viability. In years 6-10, the majority of the localplan) of developing land. It forms a development coming forward is from key component of the Local Plan The NPPF refers to sites being the Purfleet Centre, which is proposed evidence base and assists plan- deliverable, developable or not for 2,850 dwellings and split between makers in choosing sites to go currently developable. Sites that are years 6-10 and 11-15. Also, there are forward into the Local Plan to deliverable are those that can come some sites with planning permission forward in the first 5 years of the plan that are unimplemented which, meet objectively assessed needs. period, and sites that are developable for example, are expecting revised It also allows local planning can come forward in years 6-10 and, applications. In years 11-15, aside from authorities to understand what where possible, years 11-15. Year 1 the final phases of the Purfleet Centre, the land supply is, and therefore, is the monitoring year April 2016 to there are no other developable sites whether there are sufficient sites March 2017. Therefore, sites under available to contribute to the indicative construction that had completions trajectory. available to meet future housing before this year were not included in needs. the trajectory.

In September 2016, the Council Figure 10 Indicative Trajectory (Base date October 2017) commissioned the preparation of an up-to-date Housing Land Availability Years Years Typology (Dwellings) Years 1-5 Total Assessment that: 6-10 11-15 Planning Permission: under 1,314 - - 1,314 • Identifies sites/broad locations; construction • Assesses the development potential Planning permission: of sites; 1,210 521 - 1,731 unimplemented • Assesses the suitability, availability Sites without planning and achievability of sites. - 2,072 1,250 3,322 permission The Planning Practice Guidance Windfalls 111 - - 111 (PPG) requires that a wide range of Total 2,635 2,593 1,250 6,478 sites and broad locations should be identified, and that sites should include Source: Draft Interim Housing Land Availability Assessment information on constraints to show their potential for development. 47 Meeting Objectively Assessed Needs Land in Council ownership Employment Sites

As set out at the beginning of Notwithstanding this, the capacity of It is important to note that the The Core Strategy includes Section 4, there is a degree the deliverable and developable land HLAA is intended to be a ‘living several designations that protect of uncertainty surrounding identified in the Draft Interim Housing document’ and will be updated employment land, with the Land Availability Assessment of 6,478 the calculation of Thurrock’s dwellings over 15 years is insufficient, on an annual basis. main employment designation objectively assessed housing and falls significantly short of meeting being Primary and Secondary need due to the current the Borough’s OAN calculated using The current version of the HLAA, Industrial and Commercial either method. The guidance states therefore, only provides a snapshot Government consultation of what land is currently available Areas, which protects sites on adjusting the standard that where there are insufficient sites, for B1, B2, B8 and sui generis the assessment should be revisited for housing development at the date methodology. to review the tests and constraints of survey. The Council is currently users. Both the Housing blocking sites; if this does not result in undertaking a review of land in its Land Availability Assessment If the Government’s proposed enough sites, the guidance states that ownership to identify additional sites and the Employment Land changes are implemented, the current it may be necessary to consider how for redevelopment for housing. It is Availability Assessment calculation of housing need for Thurrock housing needs can otherwise be met. anticipated that the outcome of the is for 1,173 new homes a year. This review will feed into the next version studies generally concluded that the designated and non- calculation has a base date of 2018 and In order for the Local Plan to identify of the HLAA due to be published in so therefore, if this figure is projected sufficient land to meet Thurrock’s Spring 2019. At this stage it is not designated employment sites forward to the end of the plan period, OAN, the plan-making process will possible to forecast with any accuracy in the Borough were occupied would result in a minimum housing need need to consider whether it is possible what additional capacity will be derived and in employment use and of 22,287 new homes between 2018 to provide additional development from this source. However, given the – 2037. This compares to an OAN of nature of the Council’s land portfolio should therefore continue to be capacity through the redevelopment protected. 1,173 dwellings a year identified through of land in the ownership of the Council and the suitability of these sites for the SHMA 2017 and a total housing and through a change in planning housing, it is unlikely that the pool of A small number of employment sites need of 31,763 new homes between policy which currently protects available sites will lead to a significant in residential areas were also identified 2014 – 2037. It must be stressed that allocated employment sites and Green increase in the Borough’s overall as having the potential for housing these assessments of need cannot be Belt land from housing development. housing land supply position. directly compared as they have different development, subject to suitable and base dates and the standard method viable alternative sites being found calculation identifies housing need for to accommodate the relocation of a 19 year period, whereas the SHMA any affected businesses. However, identified housing need over a 23 year given the scale and nature of these period. sites, their reallocation for residential use will only marginally increase the supply of housing land in the Borough and then only in the later stages of the plan period. This reflects the practical difficulties in assembling and remediating these sites for development.

48 Thurrock Green Belt Issues & Options (Stage 2) Green Belt Assessment

Two thirds of Thurrock is Around half of the sites considered With the exception of the National policy requires that once designated as Green Belt. by the HLAA were in the Green Belt principal urban area of Thurrock Green Belts have been defined, local Development in the Green Belt and, therefore, were considered to be and the towns and villages, all of planning authorities should plan constrained by planning policy and not positively to enhance the beneficial is subject to Core Strategy available for development at this stage the land within the Borough is use of the Green Belt, such as looking Policy PMD6 (Development in of the plan-making process. This means designated as Green Belt. Green for opportunities to provide access; to the Green Belt) and national that if Thurrock is to meet its OAN in Belt is a strategic planning provide opportunities for outdoor sport policy in the NPPF, which full, the Local Plan will need to consider policy designation concerned and recreation; to retain and enhance protects the Green Belt and the release of Green Belt land in order to with the relationships between landscapes, visual amenity and bio- meet the scale of development required. diversity; or to improve damaged and recommends that boundaries built and unbuilt areas and derelict land. should only be changed in between settlements. Figure 11 exceptional circumstances, identifies the land that is within Paragraph 135 of the NPPF states that if through the preparation or the Green Belt within Thurrock. local planning authorities are proposing review of the Local Plan. a new Green Belt, they should: The National Planning Policy • Demonstrate why normal planning Framework (NPPF) states, in paragraph and development management 133, that ‘the fundamental aim of Green policies would not be adequate; Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl • Set out whether any major change by keeping land permanently open; the in circumstances have made the essential characteristics of Green Belts adoption of this exceptional measure are their openness and permanence.’ necessary; The NPPF sets out 5 purposes of the • Show what the consequences of the Green Belt: proposal would be for sustainable • To check the unrestricted sprawl of development; large built-up areas; • Demonstrate the necessity for the • To prevent neighbouring towns from Green Belt and its consistency with merging into one another; strategic policies for adjoining areas; • To assist in safeguarding the and countryside from encroachment; • Show how the Green Belt would meet • To preserve the setting and special other objectives of the Framework. character of historic towns; and • To assist in urban regeneration, by Policy requires that, once established, encouraging the recycling of derelict Green Belt boundaries should only be and other urban land. altered in exceptional circumstances, through the preparation or review of the Local Plan. At that time, authorities should consider the Green Belt boundaries having regard to their intended permanence in the long term, so that they should be capable of enduring beyond the plan period. Figure 11: Map of Green Belt

49 When drawing up or reviewing Since the adoption of the Core It should be noted that the Green Belt Green Belt boundaries local planning Strategy in December 2011, there has Assessment is a technical document authorities should take account of been a reduction in the availability and does not specifically identify any the need to promote sustainable of land in the urban area as potential sites or broad areas of Green Belt for INFORMATION patterns of development. They should housing sites have been built out development as any decision on the consider the consequences for for housing or other uses, thereby need to amend the boundary of the A copy of the Stage 1 Green sustainable development of channeling worsening the housing land supply Green Belt in Thurrock must be taken Belt Assessment Report will development towards urban areas problem and increasing the need for as part of the wider plan–making and be available to view at the inside the Green Belt boundary, the Council to consider amending the evidence development process. Council’s website. (www. towards towns and villages inset within Borough’s Green Belt boundaries to thurrock.gov.uk/localplan). the Green Belt or towards locations accommodate future development beyond the outer Green Belt boundary. needs.

The Council considers that given In order to inform this process the acute shortage of land currently the Council has commissioned identified as being available to meet the preparation of a Green Belt Thurrock’s full objectively assessed Assessment to assess the whole area housing need over the plan period, that of Green Belt within the Borough. This the exceptional circumstances required study has been carried out in a number by the NPPF to justify changes to of stages: Green Belt boundaries can be clearly demonstrated. • Identification of the study area; • Identification of key constraints (i.e. The need for the Borough to consider those ‘high level’ constraints that are amending the boundaries of the likely to prevent or severely limit the Green Belt in Thurrock is not new. potential for development to occur); In her Report on the adopted Core • Identification of land parcels for Strategy (December 2011) the Planning assessment; Inspector examining the plan identified • Assessment of the parcels against the need for the Council to review the the purposes for including land in Borough’s Green Belt boundaries in the Green Belt; and order to identify sufficient land to meet • Identification of the relative potential the then Core Strategy housing target importance of the contribution of 23,500. of parcels to the Green Belt in the context of their suitability to accommodate a strategic level of development.

50 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Housing Growth Options

As the Borough grows there • Offer housing choice and In identifying potential locations for preserve the area’s historic assets will be a need to plan for new development opportunity; new development, it is important and open green spaces, and also homes, the economy and • Maximise employment opportunity to recognise that much of the legislation designed to prevent and accessibility; Borough is unable to accommodate development in unsafe locations, associated infrastructure. • Make use of existing settlement development due to the presence of whether from proximity to hazards What is clear is that there size and access to services and numerous planning policy, physical and like stored explosive materials, over are insufficient brownfield community infrastructure; environmental constraints. or underground utility cables or fuel sites in the urban area to • Maintain settlement identity and In or adjoining much of the Thurrock pipelines, or land at risk of flooding. accommodate the likely level local distinctiveness; and urban area, development capacity Figure 12 shows the key constraints • Maintain the strategic integrity of the is constrained by policies which affecting the development capacity of of growth required so new Green Belt. land within the Thurrock urban area. locations for development will need to be found. There are options as to how this growth can be accommodated across the settlements in the Borough although all, either individually or collectively, must accommodate the overall scale of development required to match future needs and ensure that housing delivery can be sustained over the plan period.

Potential development opportunities and constraints

Options for the distribution of housing development within the Borough have been identified based on the evidence produced to support the preparation of the Local Plan. A number of strategic growth options are put forward for consideration which reflect the opportunities to:

• Deliver sustainable development; • Re-use previously developed land; • Increase levels of housing delivery;

Figure 12: Thurrock Urban Area Development Constraints 51 Outside of the urban area the Figure 13 shows the key constraints remainder of the Borough is covered affecting the development capacity of by Metropolitan Green Belt. Within land within the Metropolitan Green Belt. the Green Belt extensive areas of land on the urban fringe and beyond are constrained from development for a wide range of reasons, including the following:

• Flood Risk – all areas at risk of coastal or fluvial flooding as identified by the Environment Agency;

• Environmental Policy Designations – Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Ancient Woodland, RAMSAR sites, as defined by Natural England and Local Wildlife Sites that are all important for biodiversity;

• Community Assets – Country Parks and other local assets adjoining urban areas;

• Heritage Designations – Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens and Conservation Areas as defined by Historic England;

• Topography – Ridge and Slope features including land over 100m above sea level/local landmarks;

• Minerals and Waste and landfill areas – safeguarded sites and former/current landfill sites; and

• Energy Transmission Infrastructure – Overhead Powerlines / Underground Pipelines.

Figure 13: Green Belt Development Constraints 52 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Lower Thames Crossing

The proposed alignment of The full extent of these impacts on the this work will help inform decisions on Thames Crossing scheme is being the Lower Thames Crossing availability of land for development whether the identification of broad taken forward in a manner which threatens to significantly will need to be assessed in more detail locations for growth or specific sites supports future housing and economic through the plan-making process and for development can be taken forward growth in both Thurrock, or South undermine the efforts of the the on-going detailed design work as development plan allocations. Essex as a whole, and in a way which Council to plan to meet its and environmental impact assessment However, at this stage of the process allows local authorities to maximise the objectively assessed housing work associated with the Lower it is questionable as to whether the investment in new nationally significant needs in full and to support Thames Crossing. The outcome of design and development of the Lower infrastructure in planning for growth as economic growth and the set out in the national policy guidance. regeneration of existing local communities. Based on the scheme configuration shown in Figure 14, the Lower Thames Crossing will have an adverse impact on the potential to bring forward sites for development along the length of its route for a number of reasons. These include:

• The sterilization of development opportunities in sustainable locations around existing settlements; • Poor local connectivity and a failure to explicitly plan and design a scheme with the objective of supporting the delivery of strategic sites for housing and economic growth; • The need to mitigate the impact of noise, air quality, severance and flood risk considerations which has led to an increase in land take in locations where future development capacity exists.

The areas most affected include: land west of East Tilbury; land north of and east of Chadwell St Mary; land in and around the proposed junction with the A13; and land north and east of South Ockendon. Figure 14: Lower Thames Crossing – Development Constraints 53 Spatial Options

The spatial options presented It should be noted that the spatial At this stage the Council cannot in this document represent options are not mutually exclusive, specify what the precise implications the first stage of consultation, as the selection of more than one may be arising out of each option, of the proposed options will need but it is keen to hear views from INFORMATION working towards formal to be considered in order to meet the local community and interested identification of broad strategic the entirety of the Borough’s future stakeholders on what broad options As mentioned previously, the development locations within development requirements. Although ought to be considered along with their sites being presented in this the South Essex Joint Strategic seven possible options are presented potential impacts, appropriateness and document are sites which Plan and as site specific within this consultation document, deliverability. have been promoted by the reality is that two or more of the landowners, developers and allocations within the Draft options working in combination will The Council will consider all Local Plan consultation stage. other stakeholders as being be required to meet Thurrock’s future representations received and good locations for future housing needs and form part of the undertake a detailed assessment of development. As the authority The spatial options have been final preferred strategy. all the options, including new sites or works towards preparing a draft generated based on the evidence broad locations submitted through the plan, it will be necessary for a produced to support the production It should also be noted that some 2018 Call for Sites, through the process more detailed assessment of of the Local Plan. A key part of individual development opportunities of sustainability appraisal and technical these sites to take place. This this evidence is the Housing Land may also fall under more than one of assessment. The outcome of this assessment will include looking Availability Assessment and the the broad spatial options. Figure 15 work will then be used to inform the at issues relating to physical Call for Sites exercise, whereby sites shows the sites that are in the process development of a ‘preferred approach’ constraints, site accessibility are promoted for development by of being assessed by the Council to for public consultation at the Draft Plan to key services and market landowners, developers, and other determine their development potential stage. interest. The findings of this interested parties. It is important to and which have informed the spatial assessment will then need to be stress that whilst the spatial options options presented for comment in this The broad options for consultation balanced alongside feedback presented in this document are document. Figure 16 shows the various are set out below and consist of a from this consultation and other primarily based on a market response spatial options which are discussed in description of each of the options and key technical documents as the to where new development should turn in the following sections. a summary of both the opportunities Council works towards defining be located, the sites promoted for and challenges associated with the its preferred development development have simply been taken The Council recognises that the choices development and delivery of each option. at ‘face-value’ and have not yet to be made are not easy and will spatial option under consideration. This been fully assessed in terms of their require careful consideration. Each of is provided to assist in assessing the It is also worth noting that suitability. The inclusion of a site within the options for future housing growth appropriateness of each of the options. as the Local Plan process a ‘development option’ is in no way has different implications for individual As part of this consultation, views are progresses more sites may be an endorsement by the Council of settlements and consequential impacts invited on whether there are any other submitted to the Council for the suitability of a particular site for on local infrastructure, market choice opportunities or challenges that ought consideration through future development. and, importantly, delivery. to be considered when assessing each call for sites and other means, option. including the inclusion of Council owned assets.

54 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Figure 15: Call for Sites Map 55 Baseline Situation – Current impacts for the Borough and its investment due to a lack of high residents: quality and affordable housing for Core Strategy Approach the future workforce; • The limited viability of sites in the In line with national planning • Based on the evidence in the HLAA, focusing development in the urban area means that developer policy, the spatial strategy Thurrock urban area will only deliver contributions for affordable housing underpinning the adopted Core approximately 6,478 new homes and the provision of new community Strategy seeks to focus new meaning that the Borough will fail to facilities will be difficult to achieve development within the existing meet its identified housing need; and deliver; • Thurrock’s current rolling 5 year land • Additional housing development Thurrock Urban area in order to in the urban area could increase maximise the use of brownfield supply is less than 2 years placing the Council at risk of Government the strain on existing community land and promote a sustainable intervention or sanction under the facilities (schools and health) where pattern of development, which proposed Housing Delivery Test; there is already limited physical makes an efficient use of • Under the presumption in favour of scope and capacity to meet existing “sustainable development”, planning needs; and historic capital investment in • Further development would increase retail, employment, transport, permissions for development could be granted on appeal, leading transport movements within an and community infrastructure. to uncontrolled and sporadic already highly congested urban However, continuing with this development in the Green Belt area leading to poorer air quality approach without looking for against the wishes of the local and adverse impacts on economic additional growth options to community. This eventuality could performance as journey time reliability declines. accommodate Thurrock’s future also severely undermine the ability development needs could of the Council to plan for and deliver transformational change; For the reasons set out above, lead to the following adverse • The viability of many sites in the continuing with the current spatial urban area for housing is constrained strategy alone is not considered a by their small size, high build costs realistic or viable option. To do so and the economic values that would lead to the production of a can be achieved for other uses Local Plan which would ultimately including retail and logistics related be found unsound by an Inspector employment; at Examination. Moreover, it would • The limited number of new also constrain the future growth of homes that could be delivered the Borough and miss the significant under the current approach opportunities to make Thurrock one would fundamentally undermine of the most vibrant, exciting and economic growth in Thurrock, and economically successful places in the potentially lead to increased levels UK in which to live, work, and invest. of in-commuting and congestion on local roads, or the loss of future

56 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Figure 16: Map showing spatial options - Based on sites/broad locations with developer interest NB. These are potential, broad options for growth not proposed allocations 57 Option 1: Urban Intensification

Option 1 seeks to boost the supply of There is no doubt, however, that local local communities. Consultation with housing land within the built-up area people want to see more opportunities members and elected representatives through the redevelopment and higher for redevelopment within existing has highlighted : density development of urban sites. This urban areas realised. There are some could be achieved by: prominent ‘problem’ sites which are • Concern about the decline of retailing • Poor facilities and degraded spaces challenging to bring forward, but if in centres and the scope for new uses within post-war housing areas. • The regeneration and re-configuration they can be regenerated there would to be introduced. • The environmental impact of ‘dirty’ of existing housing estates. be a lasting, beneficial impact on • A desire to connect with and improve industries with and adjoining existing • Reuse or redevelopment of vacant the riverfront particularly in Grays. residential areas. retail, office, commercial floorspace and car parks in town centres. • Re-allocation of employment land, including the potential for the relocation of uses which are Opportunities Challenges • Re-allocation of strategically inappropriately located in residential important employment land areas. Continuing to support and facilitate • Urban intensification would only for housing could impact upon • The redevelopment of Urban Green redevelopment of urban sites and the marginally increase the supply of economic growth and job creation. Space. wider regeneration of urban areas, housing land due to the impacts of Difficult to relocate existing particularly existing centres and larger site availability, time, cost, viability employment uses and remediate Further work is required to identify housing estates: and market considerations. former employment land. the scale of new housing development • Potential to increase levels of • Higher density development within which could be delivered through this • Promotes a sustainable pattern of housing delivery in existing town the urban area may not be viable Option and this will be taken forward development which makes efficient centres constrained by a lack of given high build costs and may not as part of the ongoing HLAA process. use of historic capital investment in currently available sites and the fit with existing character. However, given the characteristics of retail, employment, transport, and time and costs associated with the • Any loss of urban green space the Borough, the reliance on urban infill community infrastructure. land assembly process. may have an adverse impact on in recent years (so opportunities are • Reduces the need for future Green • Potential for significant new community health and well-being. diminishing) and the number and nature Belt development. housing at Lakeside constrained by of the sites involved (typically small scale • Enhances the viability and vitality of the retailers’ preferred operational and located in or around town centres existing urban centres as a focus for models (access/servicing or areas in active employment use) it shopping, leisure and community/ arrangements and surface level car is not anticipated that this Option will cultural activity. parking) and the high land values contribute significantly to increasing the • Supports regeneration and re-use associated with retail uses. supply of housing land in Thurrock or in of existing land and property in the a manner that can also support wider urban area. investment in community facilities and • Has potential to improve the infrastructure. residential amenity of areas currently being affected by employment uses and associated HGV movements, through the relocation of ‘bad neighbour’ uses to alternative sites/ premises.

58 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

QUESTION 14: Urban Intensification

a) Do you believe that adopting the approach set out under this option is an appropriate option for consideration or, if not, why not?

b) Are there any other opportunities or challenges that you think ought to be taken into account in assessing this option?

c) What additional opportunities or interventions exist to increase the capacity of the urban area to accommodate a greater proportion of Thurrock’s future housing needs?

Figure 17: Thurrock Existing Urban Area and Villages 59 Option 2: Duty-To-Cooperate

The NPPF requires that local authorities The National Planning Policy Thurrock has been working with the ensure that their local plan meets the Framework (NPPF) requires other South Essex authorities (Basildon, full, objectively assessed needs for local planning authorities to work Castle Point, Rochford and Southend- QUESTION 15: market and affordable housing in the collaboratively with each other and on-Sea) to identify the level of need housing market area, as far as it is other bodies to ensure that strategic for new housing in the area through Duty-To-Cooperate consistent with the policies set out in priorities across local boundaries the preparation of the South Essex the Framework; for example, policy are properly coordinated and clearly Strategic Housing Market Assessment a) Do you believe that adopting constraints such as environmental reflected in individual Local Plans (SHMA). The only way the Council will the approach set out under this designations or absolute constraints (this is referred to as the ‘Duty to be able to plan for a lower figure than option is an appropriate option such as floodplains and land fill sites. Cooperate’). Through joint working, its objectively assessed need is if a for consideration or, if not, why In some areas these constraints mean local planning authorities should neighbouring authority or authorities not? that the full need cannot be met. collaborate and work together to meet agree, through the Duty to Cooperate development requirements which process and preparation of the Joint b) Are there any other cannot wholly be met within their own Strategic Plan, to accommodate all or opportunities or challenges areas. part of the unmet housing need. that you think ought to be taken into account in assessing this option?

c) What additional opportunities or interventions exist under the Duty to Cooperate process and Opportunities Challenges A failure to meet all, or a significant the preparation of the Joint part, of Thurrock’s future housing Strategic Plan to accommodate The Duty to Cooperate provides a Current indications are that needs within the Borough would a proportion of Thurrock’s potential mechanism to reduce the neighbouring local authorities will adversely impact upon: the ability future housing needs within scale of development that needs to be be unable to accommodate any of local people to find a home; one, or more, adjoining local planned for within the administrative part of Thurrock’s future housing affordability (house prices and rents authority areas? boundary of Thurrock, and therefore needs due to planning policy and rise in response to a shortage in incursion into the Thurrock Green Belt, physical capacity considerations supply); the quality of life of Borough over the plan period to 2037/38. and constraints. Further technical residents; the local economy; and work has been commissioned by the lead to an increase in commuting, South Essex authorities to identify, thereby further adding to congestion on a consistent basis, the capacity on the local road network. of the sub-region to accommodate future housing and employment growth including broad locations for strategic development to boost the supply of land for development.

60 Option 3: Green Belt Development Issues & Options (Stage 2) New Settlement

New settlements offer scope to The opportunity for developing one The development of a new settlement Master Planning and Transport/ accommodate large scale development or more new settlements in Thurrock at West Horndon would require Infrastructure Delivery Planning will in a planned and coordinated is constrained by the nature and significant funding for new education, be required to inform the further way. Delivering freestanding new character of the Borough and the health and community infrastructure consideration of this option in order settlements is challenging, especially existing pattern of development and given the limited scale and nature of to establish the capacity of the area the funding and delivery of new transport connectivity. Based on existing provision within the existing as a broad location to accommodate infrastructure, but their development landowner/developer submissions settlement. substantial housing growth and to can relieve pressure upon existing to the Call for Sites process, the only provide the wide mix of supporting settlements and infrastructure and potential location for bringing forward uses and infrastructure improvements meet growth needs sustainably, in that a new settlement of a significant scale necessary to achieve the sustainable all the components of the settlement lies in the expansion of West Horndon development of a new strategic and the needs of the new community on land around the C2C Fenchurch settlement in this location. can be planned, comprehensively. Street - Shoeburyness railway line.

Sizable new settlements change the The exact scale of development geography of an area in terms of that may be considered deliverable patterns of movement and activity. in this location would be subject to Wider impacts, cumulative effects further assessment through the plan- and competing calls on investment making process. For the purpose need therefore to be considered of this consultation, the Council is carefully, especially if new settlements seeking comments on the provision are brought forward in tandem with of a new settlement of a minimum intensification and expansion of of 10,000 new homes as this is the established urban areas. scale of development that is generally regarded as a ‘new town’ and enables Consultation with residents and elected the settlement to have a high degree representatives does reveal some of self-containment, with a range appetite to consider this approach to of employment opportunities and new development: supporting social infrastructure. Further assessment of this option • There is some concern to maintain following the consultation may the character of existing settlements. conclude that a higher or lower Creating a new community, with a amount of development may be more distinct identity, avoids this issue. appropriate. • Building within the Green Belt creates opportunity to upgrade ‘scruffy’ areas and give residents better access to attractive greenspaces. • Access to and quality of greenspace is a universal priority – urban extensions can distance existing communities from the countryside; a new settlement provides an alternative approach. 61 Opportunities • A limited number of land owners, Challenges • Significant development at West potentially increasing the Horndon would further exacerbate There is potential to deliver a new deliverability of the project. • This broad location is quite recognised capacity issues on the freestanding settlement/Garden Village • Potential opportunities to bid for detached from the Thurrock A127 corridor and it is uncertain as of a significant scale, focused upon Government funding to support the urban area (in terms of character, to whether, and when, Government West Horndon, on land around the C2C delivery of strategic infrastructure. linkage and function). Therefore funding will become available to Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness • Critical mass of development development at West Horndon address these issues. railway line. The proposal involves: that could help to secure the has challenges in providing a • Development of scale south of the infrastructure needed to support the range of market and affordable railway line at West Horndon could development. housing to meet the needs of the have significant environmental existing residents of Thurrock. Any implications in terms of impact proposal would need to evidence on the Green Belt and landscape how these matters could be character, and flood risk addressed. In addition, north-south considerations. connectivity would need to be improved so as to ensure spin-off economic benefits for existing businesses located within the existing Thurrock urban area. • The development of a new settlement of a significant scale at West Horndon would require considerable public and private sector investment in order to provide supporting community infrastructure and upgrade the A127.

62 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

QUESTION 16: New Settlement

a) Do you believe that adopting the approach set out under this option is an appropriate option for consideration or, if not, why not?

b) Are there any other opportunities or challenges that you think ought to be taken into account in assessing this option?

c) Are there any other opportunities or broad locations within, or adjoining, Thurrock that you consider suitable for the development of a new settlement?

Figure 18: New Settlement (up to 10,000 homes) - Sites with developer interest

63 Urban Extensions

Urban extensions provide an opportunity to accommodate growth needs at a range of scales from small ‘add-ons’ (tens of dwellings), to new neighbourhoods (maybe 500-1000 homes), to whole new districts (several thousand homes) which combine and link several new neighbourhoods.

The distinguishing feature of this option for growth is it relates to existing, established places and existing communities; the opportunities and challenges must be assessed across the whole settlement, not just the new development.

Consultation with existing residents Consultation responses also reveal Consultation responses also make The Local Plan alone cannot provide and elected representatives in a good level of understanding of abundantly clear that the pressing solutions to all these needs and locations where there is potential for the challenges and important asks issues of the day are those that impact challenges, but it can play an important urban extensions has underlined the associated with planning for growth: upon the quality of life for existing part. The ambition is to create a priorities attached to delivering growth. residents, right now: better environment and increase Reponses highlight: • The need for early delivery of new opportunities (to work, to learn, to infrastructure. • A shortage of school places. improve health and well-being, to shop • How difficult it is for young people to • The effect on already congested • Lack of GP capacity. and pursue leisure) for all residents, find a home, particularly in the more roads. • Anti-social behaviour including drugs whether living in the heart of one of rural areas. • The need to innovate and respond to in the urban areas and fly tipping in Thurrock’s old towns and villages or • The huge demand for more the green agenda including provision the rural areas. moving into a new home in a planned, affordable homes and those that of recycling facilities and electric • Maintenance and investment in the new neighbourhood. meet special needs, particularly for charging points. upkeep of parks and open spaces. the elderly. • Protecting historic and cultural • Access to facilities in the rural • The need for more, accessible sports assets. villages and the demise of bus In planning for growth, it is: and leisure opportunities. • Protecting identity and integrating services. • The need to support business start- neighbourhoods (an issue which is • A lack of community spaces. Possible to respond to some of ups. highlighted as an existing issue in • Struggling town and local centres these needs and realise multiple, • The need for new health facilities. Aveley). (particularly noted in Grays) facing wider benefits from the associated parking issues, congestion, declining investment. retailing and a lack of vibrancy in the evenings. Necessary to safeguard and mitigate against development that negatively impacts and burdens existing communities.

64 Major Urban Extensions Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Opportunities

Providing the homes that the residents of Thurrock need is the primary driver, but larger urban extensions offer the potential for growth which meets a number of other objectives and is distinct from other growth options:

1. A very wide range of different housing needs can be met. This includes the ability to increase the financial viability of delivering much more affordable housing.

2. New development will deliver investment in new community infrastructure and services, for example, schools, health facilities, community buildings and recreation space. This can be achieved through a combination of investment within the new development and in existing facilities in the established 5. Urban extensions make good use of 7. Large scale housing developments settlement, especially those that historic investment in infrastructure, are more likely to attract have suffered from a lack of particularly roads and public Government funding support investment or lack capacity to meet transport, much of which now to cover the cost of up-front existing needs. Delivery alongside needs a boost in investment and infrastructure provision. existing or proposed employment patronage. locations, town or local centres and 8. A smaller number of larger Green key public transport hubs means 6. They can achieve growth at a scale Belt releases makes it easier to less need to travel to meet daily where the enlarged population can preserve the integrity of the Green needs. make a significant difference to the Belt at a strategic level and focus function and vitality of the whole on its primary purpose. 3. Can support the regeneration of place, old and new. Services and existing urban areas. facilities which may be struggling to remain viable, from shops 4. If the quality is right, large-scale and buses to sports clubs and development can have real impact community groups, benefit from a and change people’s perceptions of sizable influx of population. Thurrock.

65 The Potential Locations for Major Urban Extensions

Seven key locations in the Borough have potential to accommodate at least 1,500 homes as sustainable urban extensions; and there is sufficient land being promoted for developments to suggest deliverable proposals can emerge, guided by the Local Plan. At this stage these locations are options, and development proposals could deliver new housing at a scale which would bring associated education, health, employment, retail and other supporting community uses.

The areas that could be considered include:

South Ockendon Aveley Corringham Challenges South Ockendon has the potential to An urban extension to the south of An urban extension at Corringham has accommodate a large-scale urban Aveley has the potential to support the potential to accommodate new • Large scale urban extensions extension comprising an interlinked the regeneration of Aveley centre, homes, education and community are complex to bring forward network of garden villages to the enhancement of the village in keeping facilities, a new railway station/ and take longer to deliver as north and east of the existing urban with its character, as well as new transport hub (Corringham Parkway) they may require the provision area. With sufficient scale comes the education and community facilities, together with significant areas of and forward funding of opportunity to advance a strategic improvements to the A13 corridor and strategic open space with sports and critical elements of strategic transport solution (road and rail) connections into an extension of the recreation facilities. This would be infrastructure. for the town. It could also support South Ockendon Country Park. linked to enhancement of the town the regeneration of the urban area, centre. • Co-ordinating the efforts including additional community Chadwell St Mary of landowners, developers facilities. An urban extension at Chadwell St North Grays and infrastructure providers Mary has the potential to support the An urban extension to the north to ensure that the ‘whole is Lakeside regeneration of Chadwell St Mary of Grays has the potential to greater than the sum of parts’ An urban extension on land at Arena centre, provide new education and accommodate a new neighbourhood will require the development of Essex to the north of Lakeside has the community facilities, upgrade transport with associated amenities, local bespoke delivery arrangements potential to accommodate new homes links and deliver generous strategic centre enhancements and a linear and funding mechanisms. and additional community, educational landscaping and open spaces. park offering leisure and recreational and/or health facilities to support opportunities for existing and future • Large scale development can residential development across the East Tilbury residents. change the nature/character of wider area, alongside more mixed-use An urban extension at East Tilbury the existing settlement. development including new homes has the potential to establish a more adjacent to the intu Lakeside Shopping sustainable settlement with a higher • Urban extensions have the most Centre and retail parks. density core area, focused on a new direct impact upon immediately transport interchange and mixed-use adjoining communities. centre, with education facilities and generous strategic landscaping and open spaces. Improving connectivity for existing residents would be a priority.

66 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

QUESTION 17: Major Urban Extensions

a) Do you believe that adopting the approach set out under this option is an appropriate option for consideration and if not, why not?

b) Are there any other opportunities or challenges that you think ought to be taken into account in assessing this option?

c) Are there any other opportunities or broad locations within, or adjoining Thurrock, that are suitable for considering the development of a large urban extension?

Figure 19: Major Urban Extensions (each over 1,500 homes) - Sites with developer interest 67 Small Urban Extensions

Consultation with existing residents The scale of the opportunities Opportunities • Reduce the need for, and impact and elected representatives has not, presented reflect the ability of of, significant incursions into the so far, drilled into the relative merits individual private sector interests to Smaller urban extensions represent Green Belt that could occur from of the different options for growth. assemble and control land; this does the growth option to which the private focusing on fewer but larger urban But it is evident from the consultation not necessarily correlate with planning sector housebuilders will most readily extensions. responses noted on page 64 that the and delivering an optimal pattern of respond. They: • Provide the opportunity to increase preferred option for growth will need growth. A critical aspect of the next the diversity of the Borough’s to reflect the scope to maximise the stage of plan preparation, informed • Are usually less complex in terms of housing offer by providing a variety benefit to existing and new residents by the consultation outcomes, will be infrastructure requirements – they of locations and settings for new from the investment made. Land to determine whether more, smaller can often rely on capacity within housing development. ownership is relevant in shaping the extensions or a few larger extensions existing facilities or networks or • Could potentially reduce the strategy, but efficiency and economies are preferable. make contributions to ‘top-up’ that impacts of large-scale development of scale and different approaches capacity, rather than make new on the landscape by promoting to delivery and funding will also Further work is required to identify provision. smaller scale development more in be important considerations if the the scale of new housing development • Make good use of historic keeping with the local context. Local Plan is to sufficiently prioritise which could be delivered through this investment in infrastructure and • Could support localised the delivery of affordable housing, Option and this will be taken forward reduce/disperse the impact of improvement and enhancement of community infrastructure, access and as part of the ongoing Housing Land new development and associated spoiled countryside and provide movement and place making. Availability Assessment (HLAA) and infrastructure burdens across a access to new open space and Integrated Sustainability Assessment wider area. recreational opportunities for those Most private sector promoters/ processes. • Could reduce the need for large communities adjacent to the urban housebuilders are geared towards scale strategic infrastructure fringe. bringing forward small/medium provision that might otherwise sized urban extensions. Landowner/ be needed to support the developer submissions to the Call for development of major urban Sites process present a large number extensions. of options for small urban extensions across the whole borough, on a range of sites capable of accommodating approximately 50-1,500 homes each; many could be sub-divided or amalgamated into the larger extensions. These sites are typically in Green Belt urban fringe locations adjacent to the main urban areas in the borough.

68 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

69 Figure 20: Small Urban Extensions (less than 1,500 homes) - Sites with developer interest 70 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Challenges • Funding the delivery of necessary strategic infrastructure QUESTION 18: • A more dispersed pattern of improvements will be more difficult development would be unlikely to coordinate and achieve if Small Urban Extensions to generate the critical scale and development is spread across a mass of development required to larger number of small sites. This a) Do you believe that adopting fund and deliver transformational includes the ability to successfully the approach set out under this change and support the bid for and obtain Government option is an appropriate option regeneration of existing urban funding support. for consideration and if not, centres and local communities. • This option is likely to lead to an why not? • It may be more difficult to secure increased number of journeys and the provision of the full range use of the car as the location of b) Are there any other of community facilities required housing developments may not opportunities or challenges to create new sustainable lie in close proximity to existing or that you think ought to be communities due to the smaller proposed employment locations, taken into account in assessing size of development sites under town or local centres and key this option? this option. public transport hubs. c) Are there any other sites or broad locations within Thurrock suitable for considering the development of further small urban extensions?

71 Village Expansions

Village expansion provides an Consultation with existing residents Opportunities Challenges opportunity to accommodate and elected representatives highlights some growth; although the overall the issues which are particular to the Appropriately scaled village expansion • Development of scale both capacity is constrained. It presents rural communities: could deliver: within and adjoining the an opportunity to inject vitality into villages of Bulphan, Orsett and smaller settlements, particularly giving • Character, history and village • A critical mass of new development Horndon on the Hill would have younger people that may have grown tradition is greatly valued, but easily to support the provision of new a significant adverse impact on up in a village or those that work in the lost. retail, leisure, community, and local the environmental quality and rural economy the chance to maintain • There is need to provide homes employment provision reducing the character of the villages. important local connections. Where and sheltered housing for an aging need for residents to travel outside • Development of scale would homes can be built to serve these population. the local area. go beyond the natural capacity needs, they may help to maintain • There is difficulty in accessing basic • An increase in the local population of the villages and their setting demographic balance and increase amenities (local shop/pub) in smaller that would raise the demand/ to absorb growth and lead to population to support and renew communities such as Bulphan. viability of providing improved or irreversible damage to their village services and facilities. This may • Limited bus services. new public transport services. character and the physical and help to make the villages more self- • Pressure on services, particularly • A wider range of housing types, natural environment. sufficient and reduce the need for local GPs, and ambition to protect local including affordable housing, • Development of scale in the people, both now and in the future, to services against cuts. to meet the needs of the local vicinity of the villages would travel to other larger centres in order to • The need for more meeting spaces population. lead to a significant increase meet their daily needs. and activities for young people. in local congestion as traffic • A lack of housing opportunities for movements exceed the capacity The challenge is to avoid unsustainable young people. of the local highway network development in rural areas, with • Anti-social behaviour such as to accommodate the levels of housing growth: speeding and littering on rural/ growth being considered. • out of proportion with the existing village roads. • Development of scale in these community and the related jobs and locations could fundamentally services; Additional development in the villages undermine the openness of the • that increases long distance might be planned to help address some Green Belt surrounding Bulphan, travel by car or creates dormitory of these issues; it might also give rise to Orsett and Horndon on the Hill communities; competing priorities. as well as potentially leading to • or fundamentally alters the cherished the coalescence of settlements character of the rural area. Further work is required to identify (Orsett and Horndon on the Hill) the scale of new housing development contrary to national planning Landowner/developer submissions which could be delivered through policy guidance. to the Call for Sites process indicate this Option and the associated ambition for development around requirements for infrastructure the villages of Bulphan, Orsett and investment and new service provision. Horndon on the Hill, with varying scales This will be taken forward as part of of growth envisaged. the ongoing Housing Land Availability Assessment (HLAA) and Integrated Sustainability Assessment processes.

72 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

QUESTION 19: Village Expansions

a) Do you believe that adopting the approach set out under this option is an appropriate option for consideration and if not, why not?

b) What scale of additional development would be appropriate in these areas and what additional infrastructure would be needed to support housing growth in these areas?

c) Are there any other opportunities or challenges that you think ought to be taken into account in assessing this option?

Figure 21: Village Expansions (up to 1,500 homes) - Sites with developer interest 73 Isolated Site Allocations

Further development scenarios have Opportunities Challenges emerged through the Call for Sites on somewhat isolated sites that There may be some scope to examine • A more dispersed pattern do not easily connect with existing the reuse and redevelopment of of development of typically settlements. Unlike other Green Belt previously developed land (PDL) in the less than 500 homes would Development Types these sites are not Green Belt. be unlikely to generate the of a scale where they could realistically critical mass of development provide the on-site infrastructure and required to fund and deliver services (such as retail, community and transformational change and educational facilities) to create high support the regeneration of quality, sustainable development and existing urban centres and local adequately address the impact of the communities. incoming population. • At a strategic level isolated development could Further work is required to identify have significant adverse the scale of new housing development consequences in terms of the which could be delivered through this openness of the Green Belt Option and this will be taken forward and at the local level in terms as part of the ongoing Housing Land of its function in preventing Availability Assessment (HLAA) and coalescence of settlements. Integrated Sustainability Assessment • Isolated sites not in close processes. proximity to existing centres, employment locations or transport corridors and hubs would lead to an increase in journeys and car use.

74 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

QUESTION 20: Isolated Site Allocations

a) Do you believe that adopting the approach set out under this option is an appropriate option for consideration, if not why not?

b) Are there any other opportunities or challenges that you think ought to be taken into account in assessing this option?

c) Are there any other free- standing previously developed sites which should be considered for development?

Figure 22: Isolated Site Allocations (typically under 500 homes) - Sites with developer interest 75 In 2014, Thurrock’s economy Government policy is committed to was estimated to be worth building a strong and competitive SECTION 5: around £2.878bn with economy in order to create jobs and prosperity. To help achieve economic employment levels having growth, Paragraph 81 of the NPPF recovered quickly following the states that planning policies should: WHAT LEVEL economic downturn. Looking ahead, it is forecast that the • Set out a clear economic vision Thurrock economy will grow by and strategy which positively and proactively encourages sustainable an average of 3.2% per annum OF GROWTH economic growth, having regard between 2012 and 2030 and to Local Industrial Strategies and that total employment will grow other local policies for economic by an average of 1.5% a year, development and regeneration. IS NEEDED - equivalent to an increase of • Set criteria, or identify strategic 21,200 jobs in Thurrock over the sites, for local and inward investment to match the strategy and to meet same period. anticipated needs over the plan EMPLOYMENT period; The main employment sectors in the • Seek to address potential barriers Borough are transport and logistics, to investment, such as inadequate port functions and retail. The strength infrastructure, services or housing, or LAND? of these sectors reflects some of a poor environment; and Thurrock’s key locational advantages, • Be flexible enough to accommodate such as its close proximity to London needs not anticipated in the plan, and international gateways (ports and allow for new and flexible working airports), which make it an attractive practices (such as live-work proposition for continued inward accommodation), and to enable investment and job creation. a rapid response to changes in economic circumstances.

76 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

The Core Strategy approach is Reflecting the comments made by In order to do this, the Council, on based on promoting and supporting stakeholders and local businesses in behalf of the South Essex authorities, economic growth and development response to the previous Issues and commissioned the preparation of the through the provision of land, premises Options (Stage 1) Public Consultation, South Essex Economic Development INFORMATION and supporting infrastructure in five the new Local Plan must identify an Needs Assessment 2017 (EDNA), which Key Strategic Economic Hubs across adequate and appropriate mix of land provides an evidenced analysis of Both the South Essex the Borough. These comprise Purfleet, and buildings to meet the forecast the economic and employment land Economic Development Needs Lakeside/West Thurrock, Grays Town growth in jobs – 24,500 over the plan opportunities and challenges for South Assessment 2017 (EDNA) and Centre, Tilbury and London Gateway. period; the need to support efforts to Essex. The study also identifies the the Thurrock Employment Land In preparing the Local Plan, the Council diversify the Borough’s unbalanced future demand for employment land Availability Assessment Update will need to consider whether this employment base; and to coordinate (B1, B2 and B8) and sets out a series 2017 (ELAA) are available to strategic approach remains appropriate provision of essential supporting of policy recommendations on how view at the Council’s Local Plan or whether it needs to be revised infrastructure - e.g. housing, transport, the South Essex authorities should website. (www.thurrock.gov.uk/ to include, for example, Thames utilities, broadband/communications plan to meet future employment land localplan). Enterprise Park at Coryton, as a sixth infrastructure. The consultation requirements across the area at both Strategic Economic Hub. Alternatively, responses also pointed to the need the district and sub-regional levels. a different spatial approach could be to give further consideration to In addition to the EDNA, the Council to reduce the number of Economic the allocation of additional land for also commissioned the preparation Hubs by amalgamating two or more development outside the identified of the Thurrock Employment Land of the existing Hubs to form three hubs, particularly to meet the needs of Supply Availability Assessment 2017 larger composite economic hubs – SMEs and the logistics industry. (ELAA). This study provides an Thurrock West (including Purfleet, Port updated assessment of the availability of Purfleet and Lakeside), Thurrock In preparing the new Local Plan, the and suitability of employment land Central (including Grays Town Centre, Council will need to develop a clear across Thurrock. These two studies Tilbury and the London Port of Tilbury) understanding of business needs feed into each other, with the economic and lastly Thurrock East (including within the economic markets operating forecasting work undertaken as part London Gateway and Thames within the Borough and wider Thames of the EDNA informing the ELAA, Enterprise Park). Gateway South Essex area. This will and the ELAA’s determination of the include an assessment of the need balance between employment supply Despite the challenging economic for additional land or floorspace for and demand with its locally distinctive environment that existed at the time economic development, including objective assessment of employment of the Core Strategy’s adoption in both the qualitative and quantitative needs contributing to the strategic 2011, the Plan has been instrumental in needs for anticipated types of sub-regional conclusions set out in the attracting significant inward investment economic activity over the plan period. EDNA. into the Borough, leading to a faster rate of jobs growth in Thurrock than either the national or regional average. Testimony to this is the level of private sector investment which has/will be generated by proposed or committed development at London Gateway, Thames Enterprise Park, Lakeside, Purfleet and the Port of Tilbury.

77 Key findings and conclusions

Figure 24 sets out the combined employment land requirements are In arriving at an overall requirement of the total supply of employment land employment land requirements focused in Thurrock, with warehousing 259 hectares of employment land over currently available for development identified in the Economic being the predominant sector of the period to 2036, the EDNA assumes is 652 hectares which comfortably Development Needs Assessment demand. The combined employment that Thurrock could reasonably outstrips the projected total for Thurrock over the period to floorspace requirement for Thurrock be expected to see a 40% uplift in employment land requirement of 259 2036 broken down into office (B1), is 1,050,397 sq.m of new floorspace, future industrial activity as a result of hectares over the period to 2036. manufacturing (B2) and warehousing which translates into an employment the relocation of existing industrial However, it is important to note that (B8) uses. The analysis shows that land requirement of 259 hectares to be activity from London, with a split of the majority of this available supply two thirds of South Essex’s future provided to meet future needs in full. 30% industrial and 70% distribution. includes land at London Gateway, This reflects the expectation which has consent for 82,9700 sqm that Thurrock is well placed to under the London Gateway Logistics Figure 24: EDNA – Thurrock Combined Employment Land Requirement to 2036 accommodate a significant proportion Park Local Development Order; land Manufacturing/ of any displaced industrial activities, at Thames Enterprise Park which Floorspace (sqm) Total Office Warehouse Industrial particularly distribution. Reflecting is now the subject of a planning these considerations, the total application which is currently promoted Thurrock 1,050,397 30,137 55,202 965,058 future requirement of 259 hectares for 320,000sqm of B1, B2 and B8 Total South Essex 1,564,375 358,438 159,042 1,046,824 includes an allowance of 95 hectares floorspace; and 126ha of land at the LAND (ha) to accommodate forecast London former Tilbury Power Station, which is industrial land relocation requirements. also now the subject of a proposal for Thurrock 259 4 14 241 the expansion of the Port of Tilbury. Total South Essex 345 44 42 260 The EDNA also compares the existing Taken together, this equates to some employment land supply within each 570.4 ha of the identified supply of Source: Draft South Essex Economic Development Needs Assessment 2017 of the South Essex authorities with employment land which has or is in the projected future employment and the process of being master planned requirements for each authority. As and consented to accommodate future set out in Figure 25, it is estimated that strategic employment needs.

Figure 25: Balance between Total Land Supply and Demand in South Essex Total Total Total Employment Employment Employment Employment Land Demand Land Supply Land Demand Land Demand as % of (ha) (ha) – (ha) – Supply Combined Combined scenario scenario with supply side adjustment South Essex 941 272 345 29% or 37% Thurrock 652 244 259 26% or 28% Source: Draft South Essex Economic Development Needs Assessment 2017

78 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

Figure 26 shows the broad distribution of employment land in Thurrock, with West Thurrock hosting the largest single concentration of employment activity in the Borough. Noticeable also is the fact that much of the Borough’s potential future employment land supply is focused on land at London Gateway and Thames Enterprise Park. The capacity of these sites to accommodate residential development as either an alternative use or mixed use development scheme is limited due to the presence of constraints under the Health and Safety Executive Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations and Environment Agency Flood Risk Regulations which also serve to render these locations unsuitable for housing development.

Figure 26: EDNA Thurrock Overview Map: Existing and Potential Employment Clusters

79 Key issues

Based on the evidence and analysis set out in the South Essex Economic Development Needs Assessment, the Thurrock Employment Land Availability Assessment and the Issues and Options (Stage 1) Report of Consultation, the preparation of the Local Plan will need to consider and respond to the following issues:

• There is a significant oversupply of • With the potential for significant • The future role of the town centres • Complementary policy support employment land in the Borough employment generation at London and housing growth areas to needs to be provided to attract relative to future projected demand Gateway and Thames Enterprise accommodate SMEs and business businesses, which includes ensuring generated in Thurrock. However, Park, there is also a need to deliver start-up units should be considered the presence of a skilled local much of this capacity is tied up in major improvements to their as part of the plan-making process. workforce and suitable housing to strategic land holdings at London accessibility, particularly by public attract and retain employees. Gateway, Thames Enterprise Park transport, and to ensure there is • Possible role for the Council in and Port of Tilbury related to ports sufficient capacity for additional facilitating the direct provision of Thurrock has experienced a prolonged and logistic development. freight movements by rail. low cost accommodation to meet and steady increase in jobs and this the needs of SMEs and support is forecast to continue into the future • Although there is an identified • The lack of flexibility in the the ‘lift and shift’ process, as the through the expansion of existing oversupply of employment land to Borough’s overall employment land Thurrock employment land market is businesses and development of new meet Thurrock’s future needs, when portfolio means that a potential dominated by demand for large B8 ones. Land will be required to meet seen in the context of South Essex, need exists to identify additional units and port-related uses. these business development needs. the Borough’s employment land land for facilitating the ‘lifting supply provides two thirds of the and shifting’ of non-conforming • There is a perceived need for wider area’s future strategic land employment uses out of residential additional lorry parks but future supply. areas and in supporting the growth provision should be accommodated and expansion of SMEs and start-up on-site/within major developments. • The concentration of future supply businesses. in a few large sites on land retained • There is a need for further road, for port related logistics activity • There is a need to consider what rail-freight and digital infrastructure means there is little flexibility in planning policy tools can be used improvements generally. the existing employment land to provide /maintain a portfolio of portfolio to accommodate non- sites to meet the needs of SMEs. • It is not possible to predict the likely port related employment uses. This This could relate to the % of site or economic impact of the Lower in itself could provide justification floorspace to be reserved for their Thames Crossing until the scheme for the identification of additional development. has been confirmed. This includes employment land to meet the the provision and location of any need to diversify the Boroughs junctions which serve to open up employment base and/or meet access. wider South Essex economic growth requirements.

80 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

The Local Plan will need to consider the issues of how much employment land is required and, broadly, where it should be allocated, but there is more to employment land than QUESTION 21: simply the amount and where it should be located. The Plan a) When considering how will also need to consider what type of employment land is required (what type of end-user will occupy the land) land should be allocated and whether the provision of certain employment uses for employment sites, is appropriate in certain locations. The following options which policy options (which are not mutually exclusive) consider these issues: above do you think are the most appropriate for Option 1 - Allocate sites specifically for Option 3 - Allocate all new sites for Option 5 - Identify additional town Thurrock and why? strategic distribution and warehousing the range of B classes uses (business, centre mixed use development sites. needs. Larger sites would be allocated general industry and warehousing). Land would be allocated in and b) Are there any alternative specifically for strategic distribution This option would allocate all around existing centres specifically options that you think are and warehousing uses, close to the employment sites for the range of for additional office uses. It would appropriate that have not strategic road network and with direct business use, without identifying any contribute towards the regeneration been considered? If so, access to inter-modal facilities. sites for specialist employment uses and re-use of brownfield sites. However, what are they? as above, but a % of each site or broad the Borough is not a significant office c) Should sites be specifically Option 2 - Allocate sites to encourage location would be reserved in policy location, and evidence predicts that the geographical clusters of specialist for SME and small scale start-up demand for new office floorspace in allocated for non-B8 employment uses. New sites would businesses. Thurrock is likely to be limited. uses to help diversify the be provided for specific employment Boroughs economic base? uses where similar activities could Option 4 – Allocate employment sites If so, where? concentrate. For example, a site or specifically for non-B8 uses. This option d) Are there any specific sites sites could be provided for forecast would allocate sites for B1, B2 and sui growth in emerging business sectors generis uses in order to diversify the or broad locations which or for start-up businesses which may Borough’s economic base and prevent should be identified for be compatible with residential uses an oversupply of B8 employment uses new employment uses? If in housing growth areas. Such an relative to future need and demand. so, where and why? approach may require a more flexible e) What additional transport range of uses being permitted than just business class use. It could also or other infrastructure require a site specific policy rather improvements are needed than a single policy that deals with the in Thurrock to support employment land portfolio collectively. future economic growth? f) Is there a need for additional lorry parks to serve business and industry in Thurrock? If so, where should they be located?

81 Existing employment areas

Alongside potential land allocations, there are significant existing employment areas in Thurrock QUESTION 22: which provide for a wide range of a) What kind of protection employment, business and commercial activities. should the Local Plan give to existing employment The existing Core Strategy employment areas? policies are based round a ‘tiered’ approach that identifies different b) Should the Local Plan types of employment areas with some variation of uses permitted seek to restrict the range within them. There is a need to ensure of uses and activities in that existing employment areas and existing employment premises continue to meet a diverse areas to B1, B2 or B8 uses, range of business needs, and consider or designate selected if it would be appropriate for them to employment areas in allow alternative commercial needs beyond the traditional employment whole, or in part, for non- uses of business, general industry and business class users? warehousing. Since the Core Strategy was adopted in 2011, reform of the General Permitted Development order has resulted in a relaxation of the planning rules regarding changes of use from offices and warehousing to residential use, under certain circumstances.

82 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

The Thurrock Employment Land lying with delivery vehicles operated As part of this process, the Local Availability Assessment identifies by other companies. Equally, many of Plan can plan positively to secure a number of locations across the the businesses in these areas provide the voluntary relocation of existing QUESTION 23: Borough where existing concentrations a valuable source of employment business occupiers to alternative a) What policy approaches of employment uses are located within and contribute to meeting the wider locations, where their hours of primarily residential areas. There is needs of the community and business operation and room for expansion/ should the Local Plan evidence that their presence is having in Thurrock. Any attempt to relocate diversification of activity is develop to deal with an adverse impact on the amenity of these businesses against their will could unconstrained by the nature of the the problems caused by local residents, particularly as a result potentially see the loss of local jobs and surrounding uses. In order to do this, bad-neighbour uses in of the impact of HGV movements, harm the local economy. it will be necessary for the Plan to residential areas? road safety considerations and noise. identify a range of sites capable of Although the Council regularly takes However, this does not mean that accommodating the displaced uses in enforcement action against persistent further action shouldn’t be taken to affordable and appropriate premises, b) Should the Council offenders, in many cases it is not reduce or eradicate the impact of bad- and for the Council and other partners develop a programme the fault of the occupiers that these neighbour uses in residential areas. to develop a programme to assist for ‘lifting and shifting’ issues arise, with the problem often existing business occupiers to relocate bad-neighbour uses to as necessary. alternative locations? If so, what interventions are required for the successful delivery of this policy objective?

83 84 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Digital infrastructure

The NPPF recognises that Reflecting the date of its 2011 adoption, advanced, high quality and reliable the Core Strategy does not set out communications infrastructure is a strategy or planning policies for QUESTION 24: essential for economic growth and promoting the provision of high quality a) What is the scope and social well-being. Planning policies and digital infrastructure. In preparing the decisions should support the expansion new Local Plan it is therefore essential nature of the planning of electronic communications that the plan-making process takes policy support required networks, including next generation into account the need to provide to facilitate the roll mobile technology (such as 5G) and an effective policy framework to out of high quality full fibre broadband connections. facilitate the roll out of improved digital communications As required by the NPPF, policies digital infrastructure across Thurrock infrastructure in should set out how high quality digital to support future economic growth infrastructure, providing access to and meet wider social and community Thurrock? services from a range of providers, is needs. expected to be delivered and upgraded b) What interventions or over time; and should prioritise full policy approaches does fibre connections to existing and new the Local Plan need to developments. identify to assist in its delivery?

c) Should future planning policy require the direct provision of full fibre connections to all new residential and business developments and should Section 106 or CIL contributions collected from all forms of new development be targeted at supporting the provision of enhanced digital infrastructure in Thurrock?

85 Town centres are at the Over the last five years, town centres heart of community life and have faced the challenge of major SECTION 6: play a key role in shaping economic and social change which has had an impact on the way we people’s perceptions of an shop, the development of new retail area. Attractive, vibrant and formats and changing patterns of retail WHAT LEVEL prosperous town centres can development. This has been manifest act as an important catalyst in the rise in internet shopping, the for attracting growth and rapid growth of discount retailers and the ‘convenience’ shopping concept, investment into the wider area. OF GROWTH IS the consolidation and concentration Equally, declining centres can of investment into fewer larger centres have the opposite effect and and an overall decline in the demand serve to deter and undermine for town centre retail floorspace in all NEEDED – RETAIL efforts to turn the economic but the largest and most successful fortunes of an area around. centres. To ensure the vitality of town centres, AND LEISURE? paragraph 85 of the NPPF requires that ‘planning policies and decisions should support the role that town centres play at the heart of local communities, by taking a positive approach to their growth, management and adaptation’. This includes a requirement that ‘anticipated needs for retail, leisure, office and other main town centre uses’ are met in full over at least the next 10 year period and should not be compromised by limited site availability.

86 Identifying future retail Issues & Options (Stage 2) and leisure needs

The Core Strategy defines the hierarchy The NPPF and PPG place a duty on of centres in Thurrock and sets out local planning authorities to cooperate the Council’s commitment to the on strategic cross-boundary planning transformation of the northern part of issues including the provision of retail the Lakeside Basin into a new regional and leisure development. centre through the plan-making process and the preparation of an Inset In April 2016, Peter Brett Associates Plan for the area. Policy CSTP7 also LLP (PBA) were instructed by the sets out the Council’s support for the South Essex Authorities to provide a regeneration of the Borough’s wider strategic retail evidence base for the network of centres, with particular South Essex sub-region. The objectives reference to the need to promote of this study included a requirement Grays town centre as a focus for to assess the need for additional cultural, administrative and educational convenience and comparison retail functions, whilst providing retail floorspace and key high order leisure development that is complementary to uses in the period up to 2037 and to the Lakeside Basin. recommend options for the spatial distribution of the assessed retail and Since the adoption of the Core leisure needs across the five authorities. Strategy in 2011, the retail landscape has changed dramatically with far reaching implications for the demand for retail and leisure development both across the UK and within Thurrock. In preparing the new Local Plan, the Council will need to review the existing policy approach and identify the need for additional guidance on the scale and location of new retail and leisure development across the Borough. The Council will also need to prepare more detailed town centre development and regeneration strategies which coordinate, prioritise and implement a range of measures which seek to maintain the viability and vitality of the Borough’s wider network of Town, District and Local Centres.

87 Key findings affecting Thurrock

The key findings and conclusions set • Across South Essex there is no • A3-A5 uses account for out in the South Essex Retail Study in capacity to support additional approximately 70% of the total relation to Thurrock are summarised convenience floorspace up to 2031. leisure spending growth in South QUESTION 25: below: This is due to there being significant Essex. Basildon, Southend and a) Based on the findings commitments for convenience Thurrock experience the most • Across South Essex there is capacity floorspace in Thurrock and because significant levels of growth. and conclusions set out to support an additional 82,445 growth in convenience expenditure in the South Essex Retail - 185,485 sqm.net of comparison is limited. • Basildon, Southend and Thurrock and Leisure Study, do floorspace up to 2037. all have committed leisure you agree that Lakeside • Long-term convenience capacity developments. It is possible that the should continue to be the • Long-term comparison capacity forecasts (post-2031) are much A3-A5 and D2 leisure commitments principal focus for new forecasts (post-2026) are significant lower than the comparison figures, in Thurrock will be sufficient to but should be treated as indicative. with little or no capacity emerging in absorb the forecast expenditure. comparison shopping Thurrock, but should also be treated The majority of this development and leisure floorspace in • Despite the existing large as indicative. is proposed at Lakeside Shopping Thurrock over the Plan commitment at Lakeside (in the Centre. period to 2037? If not, form of the consented Northern • Across South Essex there is capacity why not? Extension) the majority of capacity to support an additional 8,346 • With the exception of Basildon, there emerges in Thurrock. - 12,342 sqm.net of convenience is capacity for cinema screens in floorspace up to 2037. all of the South Essex authorities. b) In the absence of a strong • intu Lakeside shopping centre The most significant capacity is quantitative need for is the primary comparison retail • Within Thurrock there is capacity to in Rochford, as it currently has no additional convenience destination within the South support an additional -1,632 to 131 cinema screens. floorspace provision in Essex area and exerts a significant sqm.net of convenience floorspace Thurrock over the plan influence over trading patterns up to 2037. A copy of the South Essex Retail and across the wider study area. Leisure Study is available to view on period to 2037, what • Thurrock is anticipated to see the the Council’s Local Plan website (www. steps should the Council • Within Thurrock there is capacity biggest rise in leisure spending in thurrock.gov.uk/localplan). take to seek a better to support an additional 171,858 South Essex over the plan period alignment of current/ - 185,485 sqm.net of comparison due to population increase and future provision, in order floorspace up to 2037. increasing strength/inflow of expenditure to Lakeside. to meet the shopping needs of the proposed housing growth areas and/or the regeneration of existing centres?

88 Future planning Issues & Options (Stage 2) status of Lakeside

The principle of transforming the northern part of the Lakeside Basin into a sustainable, mixed-use regional town centre is established in policy through Policy CSTP7: Network of Centres, of the adopted Thurrock Core Strategy (December 2011).

Policy CSTP7 restates the former East of England Regional Spatial Strategy’s policy intention to secure the designation of the northern part of the Lakeside Basin as a Regional Town Centre subject to progress being achieved against a series of planning policy and development pre-conditions. In planning for the future development of Lakeside, the key issues the Local Plan will need to consider are:

• The need for any place-making criteria or triggers to create a viable, mixed-use regional town centre; and • The policy choices and spatial options for managing development at Lakeside

In developing the Local Plan, it is the Council’s intention to prepare an Inset Plan which will set out a detailed spatial strategy to guide the future development of the northern part of the Lakeside Basin. This will be informed by the preparation of an updated version of Planning for the future of the Lakeside Basin – A Framework to Deliver Town Centre Potential (2015).

A copy of Planning for the future of the Lakeside Basin – A Framework to Deliver Town Centre Potential (2015) is available to view on the Council’s Local Plan website (www.thurrock.gov.uk/ localplan). 89 Place-making criteria

It is the clear intention of the adopted Although the RSS has since been However, as Policy CSTP7 dates Core Strategy and the former East revoked, at the time of the Core back to 2011, it is now considered to of England Regional Spatial Strategy Strategy’s adoption it formed part of be largely out-of-date as it fails to QUESTION 26: (RSS) that the future development the statutory development plan for reflect changes to national policy a) Should the new Local Plan of the Lakeside Basin should be Thurrock. Policy ETG2: Thurrock Key or the changing retail and market progressed having regard to a range Centre for Development and Change context within which any decisions on set out any pre-conditions of place-making criteria for managing (from the revoked RSS) set out the future development of Lakeside limiting the future scale, the development of a new sustainable detailed place-making guidance on the must now be made. Reflecting these nature, location and mixed-use regional scale town centre. changes required before the Lakeside considerations and the importance of timing of additional retail Basin could achieve town centre the Lakeside Basin to both the local development at Lakeside? status. Having regard to the policy economy and community, the Local approach set out in RSS policy ETG2, Plan will need to provide an up-to- the Thurrock Core Strategy provided date and more relevant planning b) With the addition of further guidance on the steps that policy framework, which reflects the a wider range of uses would need to be taken before town progress made over the last 7 years and activities in recent centre status could be achieved. in diversifying the nature of the uses years, including the at Lakeside and the changing national provision of new leisure, policy context set out in the NPPF. hotel and food and drink uses, and with new residential development in the pipeline, should the northern part of the Lakeside Basin now be regarded as a fully fledged town centre?

90 Policy choices and spatial options for managing Issues & Options (Stage 2) development at Lakeside

Paragraph 85 of the NPPF requires that In view of the scale of the area included planning policies should promote the within the northern part of the Lakeside long-term vitality and viability of town Basin, the Local Plan will need to QUESTION 27: centres by allowing them to grow and define an effective boundary for the a) How should the Town diversify in a way that can respond to town centre and identify the primary rapid changes in the retail and leisure shopping area. The nature and extent Centre Boundary at industries, allows a suitable mix of uses of these areas will strongly influence Lakeside be defined? (including housing) and reflects their decisions on future proposals for retail distinctive characters. In drawing up development and other uses, both b) How should the Primary Local Plans, local planning authorities within and adjoining the areas covered Shopping Area at are asked to define the extent of town by these policy designations Lakeside be defined? centres and primary shopping areas, and make clear the range of uses Once these policy designations have permitted in such locations, as part of a been agreed it is intended that they will positive strategy for the future of each be set out in an Inset Plan covering the centre. northern part of the Lakeside Basin.

91 Grays Town Centre

Development context Today’s high streets face ever greater competition from online retailing and Grays is the largest ‘traditional’ town changes in social trends which have centre in Thurrock and contains 66,300 affected their usage and the demand sqm gross floorspace in total. Whilst for services. In order to remain at the town centre’s role as the dominant the heart of community life, smaller retail centre in the area has been town centres such as Grays which superseded by intu Lakeside Shopping have witnessed a reduction in their Centre, it is still the main administrative comparison shopping function now centre in the Borough and a focus need to diversify and, building upon for a number of services and cultural their traditional local shopping roles, activities. attract and sustain a greater range of leisure, cultural and civic uses to remain National policy looks for town centres vibrant and vital places. to become “attractive, diverse places where people want to live, Today, comparison provision only visit and work.” The Grays Town makes up around a quarter of all Centre Development Framework – floorspace in the town centre and commissioned by Thurrock Council includes a number of national multiple identifies a range of opportunities retailers alongside small independent to increase the prosperity and local traders. However, in line with attractiveness of the town centre. national trends for a centre of this size, there is currently only limited demand The Development Framework sets out for new comparison goods floorspace an aspirational vision for Grays and within Grays. However, the picture proposes: is different in terms of convenience floorspace, where demand exists from “Building on its strengths as a Chartered discount food store operators for Market Town, Grays will be an exciting, further representation within the area. high quality destination for people to live, work, learn, shop and socialize. The challenge for the Local Plan is Reconnected to the River Thames, Grays therefore to bring forward a land use will support growing resident, student planning and implementation strategy and business communities throughout which helps deliver the vision set out the day and entertain a diverse and in the Development Framework and vibrant population through the evening. ensures the delivery of new shopping, Cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and leisure and housing uses alongside markets will combine with culture, improvements to access, car-parking entertainment and events in unique and the quality of the public realm and venues to provide a safe and attractive built environment. place for communities to meet and businesses to thrive.” Figure 27: Grays Town Centre Development Framework

92 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Hierarchy of Centres

Retail facilities are an important part of term vitality and viability by allowing people’s lives and an important sector them to grow and change in a way that QUESTION 28: of Thurrock’s economy. Achieving supports a diverse retail offer, provides QUESTION 29: a) Do you think that the the right balance of quality, quantity customer choice, allows a suitable mix a) Should the retail hierarchy and distribution of retail facilities is of uses (including housing) and reflects Local Plan should therefore extremely important and their distinctive characters. In doing so, for town centres and plan positively for the Local Plan will need to ensure that it is important to note that the role of other shopping locations additional comparison or development proposals are appropriate individual centres within the hierarchy within Thurrock be convenience shopping to their location. There are a number of is not static, and is subject to change revised to take into floorspace in Grays shopping centres in the Borough which over time, reflecting wider economic account both historical Town Centre through vary in size and the range of shops and and social trends, as well as proposals and future changes in ancillary services they provide. The for new housing growth and changing the specific allocation current hierarchy of shopping centres in community needs. It is likely that the their role including the of additional sites for Thurrock is defined under Policy CSTP7 – retail and service role of several of the need to plan for future development and/ Network of Centres of the adopted Core Borough’s Local Centres will need to be housing growth? or should the focus be Strategy and is set out in Figure 27. This enhanced, given the scale of housing on strengthening and is based on a range of criteria, including growth required to meet the Borough’s b) Are there any other the size of the centre, the quantitative future housing needs. In addition, consolidating retail and qualitative range of retail and other consideration will need to be given to centres that should be activity around the Grays uses present, together with its role in the need for the development of one or included or should any be Shopping Centre and meeting the wider economic, civic, social more new centres in addition to Purfleet. omitted? adjoining areas? and cultural needs of the Borough’s Such changes will need to be planned b) Should the Council residents and visitors. for and reflected in a revised hierarchy manage the mix of of centres, with additional sites and The NPPF requires that local plans locations for new retail and other town permitted uses in Grays should define a network and hierarchy of centre uses of an appropriate scale town centre to provide town centres and promote their long- allocated in the Local Plan. more flexibility to accommodate non–retail Figure 27: CSTP7 Hierarchy of Centres in Thurrock uses? Regional Centre Lakeside c) If further flexibility is Town Centre Grays required, what approach Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, South Local Centres should be adopted to Ockendon,Tilbury, Aveley, Sockets Heath maintain an appropriate Purfeet, South Stifford balance between retail and New Centres non-retail activity in and Larger neighbourhood parades – Chadwell St Mary, around the town centre? Stifford Clays, East Tilbury, Corringham, Grays, Existing Little Thurrock, Chafford Hundred, Tilbury. Neighbourhood Centres Smaller neighbourhood parades – South Ockendon, Aveley, Grays, Tilbury, Linford, Figure 27: Grays Town Centre Development Framework Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Purfleet

93 Town Centre Development

Good shopping centres offer a wide The South Essex Retail and Leisure The current policy approach relating range of quality shops and services. Study identifies the need/capacity for to retail development, as set out in They encourage shoppers to visit and new provision within specific centres, the Core Strategy, is to promote a QUESTION 30: develop a loyalty to the centre and having regard to forward growth and sequential approach, whereby first a) What are your the services it provides. The shopping planned/emerging commitments within preference should be for town centre offer, and the customers it attracts, the district and wider sub-region. The sites, followed by edge-of-centre sites, experiences of shopping contributes to increasing the vitality new local plan provides an opportunity district and local centres and only in Thurrock? What centres and viability of the shopping centre. to review the level of provision in then out-of-town sites. This policy do you visit and do they It is important that Thurrock’s town/ all centres across Thurrock and to recognises the importance of town offer a good range of shopping centres serve the needs of develop a more bespoke approach to centres as locations for shopping, shops and services? Are their catchment areas and that the local maintaining their future viability and particularly for people without a there any deficiencies? plan seeks to increase the number of vitality. car, and the importance of retailing houses in and around Borough centres as the dominant economic activity to boost trade and enhance their underpinning the social and economic b) Should any of the retail prosperity and vitality. Some centres life of town centres. It seeks to reinforce allocations and town in Thurrock may have the capacity to the role of existing centres as the foci centre boundaries include additional retail floorspace due of shopping activity by encouraging identifed in the adopted to the number of people and available new retail development, redevelopment expenditure in their catchment area. or refurbishment in these centres. Core Strategy be Alternatively, some centres may have amended in order to more shops than can be sustained by include areas/sites available expenditure and may need to that would enable the contract or diversify. centres to grow and accommodate retail or other town centre uses, including housing, or exclude areas that are no longer appropriate?

c) Should any new retail areas be identified for centres without such a designation?

94 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Other Town Centre Uses

Town centres have historicaly been the location for a wide range of uses, in addition to retailing, such as theatres, QUESTION 31: museums, libraries, markets, gyms, a) Are there any other health clubs, bingo halls, bowling alleys, cinemas, hotels and eating and drinking facilities/activities which establishments. The range and level of should be promoted facilities tends to vary with the size of or accommodated in the town centre and its accessibility by particular town centres? car and public transport. With the retail role of some town centres in decline, the importance of encouraging a wider range of uses and activities within town centres has increased, both as a means of maintaining their wider economic and social function but also in ensuring that their physical and environmental fabric does not decline due to a lack of investment.

95 Non-Retail Uses in Town Centres

Current policy in the adopted Core Strategy aims to ensure that changes of use within the shopping frontages QUESTION 32: of town centres take place without a) Do you have concerns undermining their retail function. The policy recognises that space about non-retail uses in in shopping frontages can usefully shopping frontages or be taken up by non-retail uses. the over concentration of Such uses can add to the variety, particular uses in those attractiveness and economic activity centres that you visit? of the centre, but only so long as they do not concentrate within the primary shopping area so that the retail character of the immediate area is not undermined and does not deter the movement of shoppers in a particular direction within the centre.

The Thurrock Town Centre Health Check Assessment Report (2018) is available to view on the Council’s Local Plan website. (www.thurrock.gov.uk/ localplan).

96 Hot Food Takeaways and Issues & Options (Stage 2) Betting Shops

Consultation with local communities Whilst it is recognised that hot Likewise, an over concentration of and Members has shown that there food takeaways and betting shops betting shops has also been linked with is particular concern surrounding offer a service to local communities incidents of low-level crime and anti- QUESTION 33: the proliferation of both hot food and have a role to play within town social behavior. There is also a concern a) Should there be takeaways and betting shops within our centres and other shopping areas, over the social impacts of betting town centres and other shopping areas. an over-concentration of them can shops with regard to the use of fixed restrictions on the be detrimental, affecting the retail odds betting terminals and their effect number and distribution character and function of shopping on health and well-being. This has been of hot food takeaways centres. Hot food takeaways can affect recognized by Government who have and betting shops in local amenity through an increased introduced regulations that require a town/shopping centres to incidence of litter, smells, anti-social planning application to be submitted avoid over-concentration behaviour, noise disturbance, parking for new betting shops which require a and traffic problems. It can also change of use of an existing unit and and clustering? create an imbalance in food choices measures to ensure that betting shop available to the local community i.e. operators set out how they comply b) Should there be in areas with high concentrations with social responsibility codes when restrictions on hot of hot food takeaways, they form a applying for a gambling licence. food takeaways near to disproportionate amount of the local food offer. It should be stressed that both hot schools, youth facilities food takeaways and betting shops and parks? Evidence shows that both obesity do have a role to play in our town levels and access to unhealthy food is centres and shopping parades but an issue which needs to be addressed measures could be taken to prevent the nationally. Studies have shown that clustering of these uses. Clustering of there is also a correlation between hot food takeaways and betting shops childhood obesity and deprivation, can create ‘hotspots’ which attract deprivation and higher proportions of increased numbers of customers, takeaways, and levels of overweight/ particularly in the late evenings with obese people and the number of regard to hot food takeaways, and takewaways. can lead to problems with noise disturbance, littering and anti-social The prevalence of hot food takeaways behaviour. These matters have direct increases the temptation/likelihood and indirect effects on the health and of people, particularly children, well-being of the local community and purchasing such food on the way to/ can affect the vitality and viability of from school or during leisure trips. shopping centres. The clustering of any Evidence shows that minimising these use restricts the choice of retail outlets opportunities has a beneficial effect on available and affects the retail appeal levels of obesity. and sustainability of a shopping area.

97 Transport and Access

Planning policy at all levels promotes the idea of sustainable transport choices through the reduced need QUESTION 34: to travel by car and improving a) Are there any traffic accessibility by public transport, walking and cycling. Through the management measures or process of preparing the Local public realm works that Plan, there is an opportunity to are needed in particular identify proposals to carry out town centres? traffic management measures or public realm works that can improve b) Are there any pedestrian traffic circulation and/or pedestrian movement. This could also include or cycle routes that are action to encourage more people to needed in particular town walk and cycle into town centres. centres?

98 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Car Parking

The Core Strategy seeks to influence the demand for travel and the new Local Plan will also need to maximise QUESTION 35: the use of sustainable modes of a) Where could car parking travel (public transport, walking and cycling), and reduce the need to be reduced? travel, by concentrating development in appropriate locations across b) Is there a need for the Borough’s network of centres. additional car parking Alongside this strategy, the Council will provision in any locations? use various other measures/services to If yes, please specify if it influence where and how people travel for shopping, leisure and other social would be for shoppers, activities. Car parking is an integral visitors or workers. part of the town centre offer and its location, quality and management c) Where could long stay regime has a significant bearing on its car parking spaces be attractiveness for shoppers, workers and visitors. transferred to short stay?

99 Sport and Recreation

Paragraph 96 of The National for open space, sport and Planning Policy Framework recreation facilities (including SECTION 7: (NPPF) states that access to a quantitative or qualitative network of high quality open deficits or surpluses and spaces and opportunities for opportunities for new provision). HEALTH & sport and physical activity are Information gained from these important for the health and assessments should be used to well-being of communities. determine what open space, Planning policies should be sport and recreational provision WELL-BEING based on robust and up-to- is needed, which plans should date assessments of the need then seek to accommodate.

100 Issues & Options (Stage 2)

The NPPF also requires that existing In order to inform the preparation of Thurrock has a population of 163,270 open space, sports and recreational the Local Plan and respond to the (2014 estimate) which is anticipated to buildings and land, including playing requirements set out in the NPPF, increase by 25.5% (40,000) over the QUESTION 36: fields, should not be built on unless: the Council, working in partnership plan period to 2037 and this, together a) What should be the with Sport England, commissioned with the changing demographic a) An assessment has been undertaken the consultants Knight, Kavanagh structure of the population, will have priority locations for new which has clearly shown the open & Page (KKP) in November 2015 to significant implications for the Council or improved open space space, buildings or land to be surplus prepare an Active Place Strategy (APS) in terms of the scale and distribution and sporting or leisure to requirements; or for Thurrock. The draft document of new housing development and the development? b) The loss resulting from the proposed prepared by KKP includes the nature and location of new open space, development would be replaced following: sports and leisure facilities. b) How can the Local by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a • Open Space and Play Areas Study Plan support the future suitable location; or • Indoor and Built Sports Facilities viability, development c) The development is for alternative Strategy and success of Thurrock’s sports and recreational provision, the • Playing Pitch (and outdoor sport) sports clubs at all levels benefits of which clearly outweigh Strategy through the development the loss of the current or former use. • Active Travel Strategy of new or improved In addition to the policy requirements The key focus of these reports is to facilities? set out in the NPPF, the Government provide an evidence base to help also published ‘Sporting Future: A develop a strategy to provide an c) What opportunities New Strategy for an Active Nation’ improved and expanded range of exist for cross-boundary (December 2015) which recognises that sporting and leisure opportunities to collaboration in the sport can make a positive difference meet the needs of residents and to in improving physical and mental support funding bids to secure their development or delivery health, individual development, social delivery. The consultants’ Technical of new open space, and community development and Reports which were originally sporting or leisure economic development. Set against completed over the period 2016-2017 opportunities? this background, Sport England, a key and subject to public consultation are source of funding for new sporting currently being updated and will be facilities, has produced ‘Towards an used to inform the preparation of an Active Nation’, their 2016-2021 strategy overarching Open Space, Leisure and which signals that their investment Recreation Strategy for Thurrock which priorities will be tackling inactivity; will underpin the development of the children and young people; taking Local Plan. sport and activity into the mass market; supporting sport’s core market; local delivery; and the provision of new and improved facilities.

101 Designing active places

Over 70% of adults are overweight or obese in Thurrock, which is significantly higher than QUESTION 37: the national average. At the age Should the Council seek of 5, children in Thurrock have Activity for all to embed Sport England’s a similar rate of obesity to the Active Design Principles in national average. Yet, by the age the emerging Local Plan? of 10 and 11, 23.9% of children Please reference supporting are obese and 37.9% have excess Connected walking evidence where possible. weight (are either overweight and cycling routes or obese), which is significantly higher than the national and regional averages. The Council’s Joint Strategic Needs Walkable Appropriate Communities infrastructure Assessment on Whole Systems Obesity, which examines the reasons for high obesity levels in Thurrock, recommends that the High quality Council seeks to embed active streets and design principles in the emerging spaces Local Plan. Management, Co-locating In October 2015 Sport England maintenance, of community supported by Public Health England monitoring facilities launched an Active Design Guidance and evaluation document to help support the creation of healthy places. The main principles outlined in the document are set out in Figure 28. These principles are based Active buildings on national urban design best practice and can be applied to many different types of development, including the enhancement of existing places. Network of multi- functional open space

Figure 28: Active Design Principles 102 Ensuring that the health impacts of new developments are Issues & Options (Stage 2) appropriately assessed

National policy recognises the need Requiring a Health Impact Assessment to understand and take account of for large and/or sensitive planning the health status and needs of the applications will ensure that site QUESTION 38: local population, including expected promoters and developers have Should the Council changes and information about properly considered the impact of relevant barriers to improving health the development on communities seek to require a Health and well-being. and on the delivery of positive public Impacts Assessment to health outcomes. For developments be submitted as part of Health Impact Assessments assess the that are already required to submit large and/or sensitive positive and negative effects of new an Environmental Impact Assessment planning applications? development on local communities and/ (EIA), it may make sense to integrate Please reference supporting or individual population subgroups. health impacts into the EIA as the methodology is similar and there is evidence where possible. some overlap in the evidence gathered and used for both assessments.

103 Safeguarding local identity Local green spaces

Promoting high quality design and Green infrastructure contributes to the For many local communities, securing supporting local character and quality and distinctiveness of the local high quality green infrastructure in distinctiveness are strong themes environment. It creates opportunities and around their neighbourhoods QUESTION 39: embodied in national policy. In for walking and physical activity and is important. National planning Are there any local green planning how an area might change generally adds to quality of life. Green policy gives local communities the and develop over the next 20 years, it infrastructure is diverse in character opportunity to nominate important spaces in your area that is important to consider the things that and can include formal parks and Local Green Spaces for special you feel are special to your make that place unique and are truly gardens, informal grassed areas, linear protection in Local Plans. If a space is community? Please include valued by their communities. paths, towpaths, sports pitches and formally designated as a Local Green information about the other kinds of landscaped areas. Space in the Local Plan, it would location of the space and effectively give that space the same the reason why you believe protection from development as a Green Belt site. it should be allocated as a Local Green Space. In July 2016, the Council invited communities to nominate Local Green Spaces in their area that they felt meet the following criteria:

• Geographically close to the community it serves;

• Special to that community because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquility or richness of its wildlife etc.;

• Local scale i.e. not an extensive tract of land.

This consultation only generated 34 responses. Therefore, the Council has decided to reopen the nomination process as part of this consultation.

104 Issues & Options (Stage 2) Local buildings of interest

The historic environment has a In addition to those heritage assets In July 2016, the Council invited powerful influence on people’s quality that are statutorily protected, non- communities to nominate local of life in terms of promoting civic pride designated assets can be identified buildings and features of interest QUESTION 40: and a sense of local identity. Important by the local planning authority if to be included on a Local List. This Are there any local buildings local architectural, archaeological and they are considered to be of local consultation only generated 3 landscape features such as the forts, significance. Significance refers to responses. Therefore, the Council has or features in your area that the medieval parish churches and Bata the value of a historic asset to this decided to reopen the nomination you feel are of architectural, village all highlight the area’s unique and future generations because of its process as part of this consultation. historical and/or social history. heritage interest. Local Lists identify significance? Please include historic buildings and features that are To help us identify the buildings and information about the valued by the local community but features that are important in the location of the building/ are not currently subject to enhanced Borough we need you to nominate protection (i.e. Listed Building status). buildings and historic features in your feature and the reason why These buildings and features make a area that you think have architectural, you believe it should be place special for local people and they historical and social significance. included on the Local List. represent an area’s history, traditions, Once we have received all of the stories and memories. nominations, a panel of experts will review the nominations and determine which buildings and features should be included in the Local List.

105 Growth & Strategy Team Place Directorate

Thurrock Council Civic Offices, New Road Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL

[email protected]

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