The 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act contained provisions for all existing statutory Development Plans and their planning policies to be 'saved' (or remain in force) for 3 years until such time as they are replaced in whole or in part by policies contained in the East of England Plan, the Core Strategy and subsequent more detailed Development Plan Documents and Area Action Plans.
'Saved' policies will still be used to determine the merits of planning applications. The current statutory planning policies for the town are as contained in the adopted Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan, Essex and Southend-on-Sea Waste Local Plan, the Essex Minerals Local Plan, and Southend-on-Sea Borough Local Plan together with its First and Second Alterations.
The 3 years automatic period closed on 27th September 2007 and to accord with legislative requirements, a request was made to Government to 'save' current policies which have not been superseded.
This request was submitted to Government in the summer and confirmation of the 'saved' policies was published by Government this September. These policies will remain 'saved' for a period of 3 years or until superseded by policies in new local development documents.