ASELA and South Essex Plan Topic

Castle Point Local Plan

ASELA and Strategic Planning and Duty to Cooperate Topic Paper March 2021

Introduction The Inspector has requested details of the work of the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) with regards to strategic planning.

This Topic Paper sets out the purpose and role of ASELA; its prospectus; strategic planning; progress of local plans by ASELA authorities; how housing need is being met; and future work on the production of a strategic plan.

It also sets out a summary of the Duty to Cooperate meetings, the detail of which can be found in the Duty to Cooperate Compliance Report October 2020 (DTC-003)

Background to ASELA

ASELA is formed by the six local authorities in South Essex with Essex County Council. The six authorities are:

• Basildon Borough Council • Brentwood Borough Council • Castle Point Borough Council • Rochford District Council • Southend on Sea Borough Council • Thurrock Council

ASELA was established in 2018 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and a Statement of Common Ground (DTC-004 at ASELA MOU and DTC-005 ASELA Statement of Common Ground).

Section 5 of the MOU sets out the protocols in respect of joint planning, namely:

The local authorities will work together where appropriate to:

• ‘Ensure a coherent and collaborative approach is undertaken for strategic and sub-regional planning matters across South Essex;

• Positively engage to comply with the requirements for Duty to Cooperate to achieve effective strategic and cross boundary outcomes; • Identify and manage strategic planning matters (including those referred to in paragraph 156 of the NPPF) that impact on more than one local authority within South Essex; • Ensure that strategic planning matters addressed by each local planning authority are, where appropriate, informed by the views of other local authorities across South Essex; • Collaborate and seek to align local plans and associated local transport plans across South Essex to ensure the effective delivery of the levels of growth, sustainable development and transport provision proposed by the local planning authorities; • Explore opportunities for the preparation and delivery of a joint Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Framework that sets out how long-term strategic planning in South Essex will be managed amongst all parties; • Jointly commission technical evidence studies and related advice when and where necessary; • Engage with the Mayor for London, as well as adjoining local authorities and their partnerships on strategic planning matters including participation with the Wider South East Local authorities; • Consult and engage with other Duty to Cooperate bodies and other partners/stakeholders; • Make joint representations on behalf of the South Essex authorities with regard to consultations by other local authorities, the Mayor of London, other public bodies and stakeholders on Strategic Planning matters covered by the Duty to Cooperate, wherever possible; • Exploring opportunities for joint working to achieve a more cost-effective use of professional and financial resources; and • Develop, maintain and keep under review at least annually, a joint work programme that brings together all strategic planning and cross boundary working.’

The outputs include the preparation of a ‘joint Strategic Planning Framework to guide development and delivery principles.’

The Statement of Common Ground formed the basis for the preparation of the Joint Strategic Planning Framework. The joint Strategic Planning Framework was to establish:

• ‘South Essex Spatial strategy: distribution of growth, town centre hierarchy and setting long term extent of the Green Belt • Strategic Areas of Opportunity (SAO) and the role of each • Cross-cutting themes: including promoting social cohesion; healthy and inclusive growth; high quality development and design; supporting sustainable development; climate change • Overall housing provision, distribution across SAO and housing needs • Local industrial strategy priorities and spatial implications (including strategic employment land allocations). • Strategic transport and infrastructure priorities • Natural environment and resources, including green and blue infrastructure • Climate change and energy • Implementation and Monitoring Framework’

ASELA Prospectus

Proposals were submitted by ASELA to the government on Friday 31 July 2020 marking a significant step forward for south Essex. The prospectus details how an ambitious growth agenda could be delivered and how proposals for the future of local government in south Essex could help bring greater prosperity and vital infrastructure enabling it to achieve its potential as an economic powerhouse for not only this region but the whole of the UK (DTC-006 ASELA Prospectus).

The prospectus promotes strategic programmes, including accelerating housing delivery and strategic planning. The prospectus sets out the opportunities for South Essex, including 96,000 new homes by 2038, including 29% affordable; creating 100,000 new jobs; carbon zero by 2040; and integrated public transport.

To achieve these three broad programmes are being established:

• Jobs and opportunities, including creative industries, logistics and a broadening business base; • Connectivity, including the roll out of 5g; the South Essex Active Travel Network; living stations and interchange hubs; green and blue infrastructure; access to health and education; and forward funding the EV infrastructure; and • Homes and Place, including complete suite of up to date local plans, and a strategic planning framework; complete transformation of housing delivery withing with Homes England; a pathfinder for the Thame Estuary; deliver a joint plan; and establish a new delivery team for the area from the public and private sectors.

Governance of ASELA

The ASELA governance is based on a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was agreed by all Councils in January 2018. The MOU recognises that the decision making and accountability arrangements for ASELA will need regular review to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

In order to formalise the partnership and put in place an accountable body that can maximise investment, the constituent authorities are in the process of agreeing an Association of South Essex Local Authorities Joint Committee. The Committee is due to come into effect in 2021. (https://www.southessex.org.uk/news/plans-for-joint-committee-further-confirm-shared- ambitions-for-south-essex)

The ASELA Board is formed of the Leaders form each of the members. This is supported by the Chief Executive Group.

Each work programme has a Chief Executive sponsor and a lead officer, with officer groups providing support and delivery capacity.

In the case of the strategic planning elements a Joint Officers Group provides the lead. This meets bi- weekly and is responsible for the progression of the plan, including the commissioning and management of evidence.

Progress on the joint strategic framework

The ASELA MOU set out the desire for the preparation of a Joint Strategic Planning Framework for South Essex. The framework remains work in progress.

Evidence for the framework has been completed, and more commissioned, and this evidence has been or is being used to inform local plans as well as the new framework.

However, progress has been delayed against the original time frame due to the uncertainty of the strategic plan making process and the need for partner authorities to prioritise local plans.

Having a full set of up to date local plans in place which set out the growth strategies for to period over the next two decades ensures that a clear foundation for the long-term planning is established. The Plans will identify land releases to meet need and ensure a sufficient supply of land is maintained.

With these in place a planning framework for South Essex will enable the social, economic and infrastructure requirements to be planned on a strategic basis tackling cumulative impacts and significant cross boundary issues. It will set out the clear principles for addressing the ambitions of ASELA with regards to economic recovery, place making, tackling climate change and assessing the cumulative impacts of development.

It is anticipated that consultation and engagement on this framework will take place in the summer 2021 and the framework approved early 2022.

The purpose of the South Essex Joint Strategic Plan (JSP or South Essex Plan) is to provide for sustainable growth up to 2038 and lay the foundations for further sustainable growth and investment to 2050. It will sit within the context of the South Essex Prospectus, providing the framework for the six South Essex local authorities to prepare or review their more detailed local plans.

The status of the plan is preferred to be statutory, but given the work on Local Plans, that is currently under review.

The relationship to the Castle Point Local Plan will not be to replace it (or each of the other authority’s local plans) but set growth and planning policy within the local plan in a south Essex context. It will help inform the review of the Local Plan by establishing principles for new development. The continued production of jointly commissioned evidence base documents will also support future reviews of the local plan.

South Essex Evidence Base

In support of the preparation of the ASELA Prospectus, the South Essex Plan and local plans, ASELA has commissioned evidence base documents. These are:

Evidence Purpose Published South Essex Green and This Study analyses the supply of ASELA Green and Blue Blue Infrastructure existing Greenspace and Waterways Infrastructure Study Main report Study across South Essex. It then identifies the potential for developing a network ASELA Green and Blue Alexandra Steed/Urban of such spaces across the area. The Infrastructure Study Appendix 2020 Study won two Landscape Institute 2020 awards.

Evidence Purpose Published South Essex Gypsy, The GTAA identifies the need for South Essex Plan Evidence Home Traveller and Travelling permanent Gypsy and Traveller Page Showpeople pitches across the area over the Accommodation period to 2038, reflecting latest Assessment Update Government guidance. 2016-2038

ORS 2019 South Essex This piece of work looks at the supply South Essex Employment Grow Employment Grow on of workspace across South Essex for On Space Study Main Report Space Study small businesses to grow into and makes suggestions on how deficits can Appendices A to D can be found SQW 2020 be addressed. at: South Essex Plan Evidence Home Page

South Essex Strategic For South Essex to meet its growth South Essex Strategic Growth Growth Location Study potential it was important to identify Locations Study Main Report the current and potential housing land Stantec/DLA 2020 supply and relate this to identified Appendices can be found at: need. The Study identifies a range of South Essex Plan Evidence Home different development typologies and Page assesses these against a number of constraints. South Essex Strategic The relationship of projected growth South Essex Strategic Infrastructure Position against available infrastructure is Infrastructure Position Statement Statement A essential to good planning. This Study A provides a baseline understanding of Arup 2020 existing strategic infrastructure and potential constraints across South Essex. South Essex Tourism, Tourism is an important component of South Essex Plan Evidence Home Recreation and Leisure the local economy, especially around Page Strategy Southend. Recreation and Leisure opportunities are also considered. S4W - 2020

Other South Essex Evidence Base used in the preparation of the Castle Point Local Plan and jointly commissioned or focussed on South Essex which will help inform the South Essex Plan:

Evidence Link Under review? South Essex Flood Catchment Management CC-002 Plan

The Environment Agency 2009 South Essex Water Cycle Study CC-003

URS 2011 South Essex Strategic Flood Risk Assessment – CC-009 Level One

Evidence Link Under review?

Aecom 2018 South Essex Economic Development Needs ER-002 Yes. Review due to start in 2020 Assessment

GVA 2017 South Essex Retail Study ER-003 Yes. Review due to start in 2020 ER-004 PBA 2017 ER-005 South Essex SHMA H-003

Turley 2016 South Essex SHMA Addendum H-006 Yes. Review due to start in 2020

Turley 2017

In addition to the above, ASELA has commissioned and completed work on various themes which have helped inform the Prospectus. These have not yet been published but will be taken into consideration in the South Essex Plan.

ASELA Agendas and Minutes

The minutes for the ASELA Board are published at: https://www.southessex.org.uk/about/agendas-minutes

The Minutes of other meetings are not published.

The Joint Officers Group (JOG) meets on a very regular basis, with meetings diarised for every Monday. As a minimum the group meets bi-weekly. The group is charged with the preparation of the South Essex Plan. It reports via the Head of Place and Policy at Castle Point Council to the CEO sponsor within ASELA.

The meetings are attended by at least one representative of each of the 6 local planning authorities, plus Essex County Council. Advisors are invited to meetings as and when required.

In addition to JOG, during the preparation of the Plan, the Council has been active in the full range of ASELA activity, namely:

• South Essex Plan Project Board (now subsumed into JOG) • Connectivity Working Group • Thames Coastal Park and Pathway Working Group • Central Growth Corridor Working Group • Investment Fund Working Group • Housing Delivery Board and Working Group (CPBC Chair the Working Group)

Progress of other South Essex Local Plans

Council Current New Local Stage Timetable Adopted Local Plan Plan Basildon Basildon Local Basildon Examination (Pre- Reg 25 – Q3 2021 Plan (1998) Borough hearings) Reg 26 – Q1 – 2022 Local Plan Basildon Council - Basildon Council - Local Saved Policies 2014 – 2034 Revised Publication Development Scheme in 2007 Local Plan - Oct 2020-2022 - 11th Edition 2018 Brentwood Brentwood Brentwood Examination Reg 26 – Q4 2021 or Q1 replacement Local Plan (Hearings) 2022 Local Plan 2016-2033 Pre-Submission LDS to be updated 2005 Local Plan - January 2019 (brentwood.gov.uk) Rochford Core Strategy New Local Issues and Options Under review 2011 Plan (2017) Allocations Issues and Options Rochford LDS 2019.pdf Plan 2014 (rochford.gov.uk) Development Management Plan 2014

Southend- Core Strategy Southend Issues and Options Under Review on-Sea 2007 New Local 2019 SOUTHEND LOCAL Plan Southend New DEVELOPMENT SCHEME Local Plan.pdf 2018.docx Thurrock Thurrock New Local Issues and Options As reported to the Local Borough Local Plan for 2018 Development Framework Plan 1997 Thurrock Thurrock Council - on 8 March 2021: Local Plan, Issues Saved Policies and Options (Stage Regulation 18 – Q2 2022 in 2012 2), December 2018 Regulation 19 – Q4 2022 Submission – Q2 2023 Report Template (thurrock.gov.uk)

Minerals and Waste

Council Current New Local Stage Timetable Adopted Local Plan Plan Essex and Essex and Adopted 2017 Not applicable Southend Southend waste-local-plan- Waste Local 2017- Plan 2017 compressed.pdf (ctfassets.net)

Council Current New Local Stage Timetable Adopted Local Plan Plan Essex Essex Minerals Amendments Adopted 2014 Consultation on proposed Local Plan to the Essex download.cfm amendments to the 2014 2014 Minerals (castlepoint.gov.uk) plan subject to Local Plan consultation March and 2014 April 2021 Minerals Local Plan consultation: Consultation documents - Essex County Council

How South Essex Local Plans are meeting need

As set out above each local authority within the housing market area are at varying points in the preparation of local plans. For those authorities which have not published a draft new local plan an assessment on how they are meeting their need is forthcoming, but below is an assessment of the current position.

Basildon

The new Basildon Local Plan has been submitted for examination. The Plan covers the period 2014 to 2034. It provides sufficient land (including consents) of 15,465 against a need target of between 19,941 to 19,771.

To make up the shortfall, Basildon Council has identified areas of search in? Basildon town centre for growth.

Basildon Council has not approached Castle Point Borough Council to request assistance in meeting the unmet need.

Brentwood

The new Brentwood Local Plan has been submitted for examination. The Plan covers the period 2016 to 2033. It proposes a supply of 7,752 homes against a need of 5,950. There is no unmet need requirement from Brentwood.

Rochford

The new Rochford Local Plan has progressed to Issues and Options stage, published in 2018. That report indicated that need based on the 2014 projections of between 6,620 and 7,220 for the plan period (to 2037).

The draft plan is to be published, but to date there has been no approach from Rochford Council for Castle Point to meet unmet need.

The Adopted Core strategy for the period 2011 to 2025, was based on a need defined in the East of England Plan of 4,600 and planned for 4,750 homes.

Southend

The new Southend-on-Sea local plan has progressed to Issues and Options stage, published in 2019. That report states that the new Local Plan will need to make provision for between 18,000 and 24,000 new homes during the 20 year plan period.

Castle Point Borough Council and Rochford District Council, worked with Southend-On-Sea Council on the preparation of South East Essex Growth Locations Assessment 2019 (South East Essex Growth Locations Assessment) which concluded that Castle Point was not a favourable location for major growth, beyond that proposed in the draft Local Plan, given the significant constraints.

That conclusion is reiterated in response of a request from Southend Council under paragraph 177 of the NPPF, on whether Castle Point could accommodate unmet from Southend if required. This is set out in paragraphs 8.1 to 8.6 of the Statement of Common Ground with Southend (SCG-009).

Thurrock

The Thurrock local plan has progressed to Issues and Options stage, published in 2018. That report states that the new Local Plan will have an assessed need of 1,173 new homes per annum. The report offers two growth options. The first to plan to meet this need and the second to provide a supply of land in excess of the assessed need to take account of economic growth.

The draft plan is to be published, but to date there has been no approach from Rochford Council for Castle Point to meet unmet need.

Chelmsford and Maldon

Although both Boroughs are outside of the housing market area, both were approached by the Council to request whether they would meet unmet need in 2018. Both were clear that they were unable to do so.

Chelmsford adopted its new Local Plan in 2020 and meets its need. The Maldon Local Plan was approved by the Secretary of State in 2017 and meets its need requirements.

Chronology of Duty to Cooperate meetings

The Council submitted a Duty to Cooperate Compliance report in October 2020 (DTC-003). This sets out in some detail how the Council has met this legal requirement and appends details of meetings held with other local authorities and consultees.

The chronology of meetings in relation to this plan (pre-submission) that the Council has records of are:

Date Meeting March 2016 The Plan in an earlier iteration was published. The Plan did not demonstrate how need would be met. September 2016 That Plan submitted for examination December 2016 DTC examination Hearing held January 2017 Inspector issues their letter finding that the plan should not be adopted based on the failure to meet the requirements of the duty to cooperate.

Date Meeting June 2018 ASELA joint Statement of Common Ground agreed and work starts on the Joint Strategic Plan. A Joint Officers Group is established and meets as a minimum bi-weekly. This group is hosted by Castle Point Borough Council. 26 June 2018 DTC meeting with Thurrock Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Two of DTC-003 (pages 49 to 52) 4 July 2018 DTC meeting with Essex County Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Two of DTC-003 (pages 40 to 43) 16 July 2016 DTC meeting with Brentwood Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Two of DTC-003 (pages 37 to 39) 19 July 2018 DTC meeting with Rochford Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Two of DTC-003 (pages 44 to 46) 20 July 2018 DTC meeting with Basildon Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Two of DTC-003 (pages 34 to 36) 22 August 2018 DTC meeting with Southend on Sea Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Two of DTC-003 (pages 47 to 48) November 2018 Council writes to authorities in neighbouring housing market areas, (Chelmsford, Havering and Maldon), if they had any outstanding issues in relation to DTC. They were satisfied with the approach taken. Summaries of responses are set in Appendix Six of DTC-003 (page 55)

Council hosts a DTC meeting attended by South Essex authorities, and Maldon Council. 3 February 2020 DTC meeting with Rochford Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Eight of DTC-003 (page 58) 7 February 2020 Meeting with the Environment Agency in respect of the Local Plan and IDP 5 March 2020 DTC meeting with Natural England. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Eight of DTC-003 (page 59) 4 June 2020 DTC meeting with Essex County Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Eight of DTC-003 (pages 61 to 62) 9 June 2020 Letter from Southend on Sea Council in respect of housing need and DTC (set out in Appendix Nine of DTC-003 (pages 71 to 72) 10 June 2020 DTC meeting with Southend on Sea Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Eight of DTC-003 (page 63) 24 July 2020 Response from Castle Point Borough Council to Southend on Sea letter dated 9 June in respect of housing need and DTC (see Appendix Nine of DTC-003 (pages 73 to 75) 4 September 2020 DTC meeting with Essex County Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in Appendix Eight of DTC-003 (pages 69 to 70) 15 September DTC meeting with Basildon Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in 2020 Appendix Eight of DTC-003 (pages 64 to 66) 20 September DTC meeting with Rochford Council. Notes of this meeting are set out in 2020 Appendix Eight of DTC-003 (pages 67 to 68) September 2020 Statement of Common Ground agreed with the Environment Agency SCG-001

September 2020 Statement of Common Ground agreed with Essex County Council SCG-002 and SCG-003 September 2020 Statement of Common Ground agreed with the Thames Marine Management Organisation SCG-004

Meetings continue to be held under DTC not only in respect of the Castle Point plan (to finalise Statements of Common Ground), but as other authorities prepare their local plans. The Council also attended round table duty to cooperate meetings with Chelmsford and Basildon Councils in respect of their Local Plans.

Statements of Common Ground have been agreed post submission with

Brentwood Council (SCG-005)

Historic England (SCG-006)

Sports England (SCG-007)

Rochford Council (SCG-008)

Southend on Sea (SCG-009)

Highways England (SCG-010)

Anglia Water (SCG-011)

Other meetings

In addition to the above the Council is an active partner with the following at which strategic and planning policy matters are discussed:

The Castle Point Regeneration Partnership, which includes the Environment Agency, Homes England, NHS and Essex County Council at which the Council raises plan issues and partners discuss their plans and priorities

Essex Developers Group – which is hosted by CPBC, which is a partnership between local councils, Homes England, Housing Associations, developers and consultants, which discusses strategic issues that impact on delivery and best practice (Essex Developers Group - Housing Essex)

One Public Estate Essex

Opportunity South Essex – which is hosted by the Council and focussed on coordinating and developing economic development strategy for South Essex and links to SELEP (Opportunity South Essex | ASELA)

Castle Point and Rochford LSP – which the Council hosts and brings castle Point and Rochford Council with the health, social services, crime and police, fire and rescue and voluntary sectors. The meetings are attended by the Head of Place and Policy and the local plan is discussed.

Essex Planning Officers Association. This is an Essex wide body formed of the main Board (Chief Planning officers); a Policy Forum (which the Council’s Planning Policy Team Leader Chairs); and the Development Management Forum. The EPOA, is a forum for peer advice and support; discussion of strategic and cross boundary issues; and the preparation of jointly commissioned work – such as Car Parking Standards, the Essex Design Guide and RAMS. Various documents and minutes are published at Uttlesford District Council - Essex Planning Officers Association (EPOA)

Forward Motion – a partnership hosted by Southend Council considering proposals for promoting active travel (About | (forwardmotionsouthessex.co.uk))

Southend Airport Consultative Committee Community reporting - London Southend Airport

Southend RAMS Steering Group Bird Aware Essex Coast - Home

Transport East Home - Transport East

SELEP Coastal Communities Working Group

Bradwell B Working Group hosted by Essex County Council