I work for the Diocese of Chelmsford, which is the Church of England in Essex and East London and includes the whole of Brentwood Local Authority Area.

I attended a drop-in session on the draft Local Plan at Brentwood Town Hall and spoke to Jonathan Quilter, who was very helpful.

Looking at the draft Local Plan I was concerned that there is no mention of places of worship. This was particularly noticeable at paragraph 10.40 where a number of social and community activities are listed, but churches aren't mentioned.

The list on page 167 is: "Social and Community: Hospital, GP, dentist, children's centres, schools, further education, emergency services, libraries, youth centres, leisure centres, community halls, local convenience store, theatres, public realm, public house".

The document does state that the list is not limited to these things, but The National Planning Policy Framework includes references to "places of worship" and the Brentwood draft Local Plan should reflect this document. Please amend the Brentwood draft Local Plan accordingly.

The National Planning Policy Framework has the following references to places of worship (I have put the references in bold for emphasis):
Paragraph 28 "To promote a strong rural economy, local and neighbourhood plans should..... promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities in villages, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship."

Paragraph 70 "To deliver the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of shared space, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments."

Paragraph 171 "Local planning authorities should work with public health leads and health organisations to understand and take account of the health status and needs of the local population (such as for sports, recreation and places of worship), including expected future changes, and any information about relevant barriers to improving health and well-being."

In particular, paragraph 70 is important when plans are made for new housing developments, such as Dunton Garden Village. Existing villages usually have a church at the centre - often on the village green and next to the public house - and a church should be included in plans for Dunton Garden Village. It is helpful if this is a shared church and community centre. There is an excellent model at the new Greater Beaulieu Park Development, just outside Chelmsford. The developer is providing a building, as part of the planning obligations, and Springfield Parish Council and local Churches have set up a Trust to run the Centre on behalf of the whole community. It will be a church (a place of worship) and also provide community facilities for everyone.

Thank you for your attention.

I work for the Diocese of Chelmsford, which is the Church of England in Essex and East London and includes the whole of Brentwood Local Authority Area.

I attended a drop-in session on the draft Local Plan at Brentwood Town Hall and spoke to Jonathan Quilter, who was very helpful.

Looking at the draft Local Plan I was concerned that there is no mention of places of worship. This was particularly noticeable at paragraph 10.40 where a number of social and community activities are listed, but churches aren't mentioned.

The list on page 167 is: "Social and Community: Hospital, GP, dentist, children's centres, schools, further education, emergency services, libraries, youth centres, leisure centres, community halls, local convenience store, theatres, public realm, public house".

The document does state that the list is not limited to these things, but The National Planning Policy Framework includes references to "places of worship" and the Brentwood draft Local Plan should reflect this document. Please amend the Brentwood draft Local Plan accordingly.

The National Planning Policy Framework has the following references to places of worship (I have put the references in bold for emphasis):
Paragraph 28 "To promote a strong rural economy, local and neighbourhood plans should..... promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities in villages, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship."

Paragraph 70 "To deliver the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of shared space, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments."

Paragraph 171 "Local planning authorities should work with public health leads and health organisations to understand and take account of the health status and needs of the local population (such as for sports, recreation and places of worship), including expected future changes, and any information about relevant barriers to improving health and well-being."

In particular, paragraph 70 is important when plans are made for new housing developments, such as Dunton Garden Village. Existing villages usually have a church at the centre - often on the village green and next to the public house - and a church should be included in plans for Dunton Garden Village. It is helpful if this is a shared church and community centre. There is an excellent model at the new Greater Beaulieu Park Development, just outside Chelmsford. The developer is providing a building, as part of the planning obligations, and Springfield Parish Council and local Churches have set up a Trust to run the Centre on behalf of the whole community. It will be a church (a place of worship) and also provide community facilities for everyone.

Thank you for your attention.