Comment

Preferred Site Allocations 2018

Representation ID: 18362

Received: 12/03/2018

Respondent: Essex County Council

Representation Summary:

Plan Making - ECC Interest in the Draft Local Plan Preferred Site Allocations Consultation

Full text:

ECC Interest in the Draft Local Plan Preferred Site Allocations Consultation -

Essex County Council (ECC) supports the preparation of a new Local Plan for BBC. A Local Plan by setting out a specific vision and policies for the long-term planning and development of the borough can provide a platform from which to secure a sustainable economic, social and environmental future to the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. A robust long-term strategy will provide a reliable basis on which ECC and its partners may plan future service provision and required community infrastructure for which they are responsible. ECC will also use its best endeavours to assist on strategic and cross-boundary matters under the duty to cooperate, including engagement and co-operation with other organisations for which those issues may have relevance.

ECC aims to ensure that local policies and related strategies provide the greatest benefit to deliver a buoyant economy for the existing and future population that live, work, visit and invest in Essex. As a result ECC is keen to understand, inform, support and help refine the formulation of any development strategy and policies delivered by Local Planning Authorities. Involvement is necessary and beneficial because of ECC's roles as:
a. a key partner within Greater Essex, promoting economic growth, regeneration, infrastructure delivery, Garden Communities and sustainable new development;
b. provider and commissioner of a wide range of local government services throughout the county;
c. the highway and transport authority, including responsibility for the delivery of the Essex Local Transport Plan; Local Education Authority including early years and childcare; Minerals and Waste Planning Authority; Lead Local Flood Authority; lead advisors on public health; and adult social care in relation to securing the right housing mix which takes account of the housing needs of older people; and
d. as an infrastructure funding partner, that seeks to ensure that the proposals are realistic and do not place an unnecessary (or unacceptable) cost burden on the public purse, and specifically ECC's Capital Programme.