Development Plan Documents (DPD's)

Southend Borough Council and Rochford District Council are preparing a Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) to respond to the challenges and opportunities offered by London Southend Airport and its surrounding area.

Area Action Plans are a style of planning document targeted at areas of significant change or conservation. The JAAP, once adopted, will form part of the Development Plan for Rochford District and Southend-on-Sea Borough.

The JAAP will provide the basis for coordinating the actions of a range of partners with an interest in London Southend Airport and its surrounding area, and establish planning policies until 2021. It will:

• Manage growth and change in the area by setting out development and design principles
• Ensure the protection of areas and places sensitive to change
• Direct investment and form the basis for regeneration in the area
• Be deliverable

Following consultation on earlier iterations of the Plan, and assessment of possible options, a 'Submission' version of the Plan has been produced.  This is the version that the Councils propose to submit to the Secretary of State responsible for planning, who will appoint an Inspector to conduct an independent examination into whether the plan is 'sound' and legally compliant.  Before this version is submitted for examination, it is subject to a formal period of consultation which will run from 25th February 2013 to 5pm on 26th April 2013. Through this consultation respondents are able to submit their views on whether the plan is 'sound' and legally compliant.  The results of this consultation will be submitted, along with the Plan and other supporting documents, to the Inspector appointed to conduct the examination.

The Planning Inspectorate will conduct an examination into the 'soundness' and legal compliance of the JAAP.  The examination will include consideration of the issues raised in the consultation.

Subject to the outcome of the examination, the Councils may then adopt the Plan and it will form part of the Development Plan for the area - meaning that planning decisions must be made in accordance with the Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Representations must be made by 5pm on 26th April 2013, and must be made using the Representation Form or via the online consultation system.  Paper copies of the Representation Form can be obtained by calling 01702 215408.

Please note: As this is a formal consultation on a document the Councils proposes to submit to the Government for Examination, consultation representations will only be regarded as duly made if supplied on the official representation form or made directly via the online consultation system. Comments submitted will not be publicly visible online until after the consultation had ended.

You may find a list of some FAQ's here.