Development Plan Documents (DPD's)

The hearing part of the Examination was held by way of written exchanges and by hearings between 13th March and 16th May 2007 to consider outstanding representations on the Plan which was submitted to Government on 31st August 2007.

The Inspector's Report into the Examination was published on 4th October 2007. The Inspector has concluded that, subject to certain changes to the submitted version of the Core Strategy, the Plan is 'sound'. Sound may be considered in this context within its ordinary meaning of 'showing good judgement' and 'able to be trusted'. The Inspector's conclusions are binding on the Council.

The Plan will be formally adopted by the Council in December this year. The new Plan will provide the strategic policy framework to guide and promote all development in the Borough to 2021, including specific targets for future housing and job provision.

With the issuing of the Inspector's Report the Examination of the Core Strategy is now formally closed.

The main changes identified by the Inspector can be summarised as follows:

• to include and distribute the increase in minimum housing numbers in the Secretary of States Proposed Changes to the East of England Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy) and ensure those are not phased beyond the end of the plan period;
• to strengthen the primary focus of the Core Strategy for regeneration and growth on the Town Centre and Central Area;
• to bring references to developer contributions in line with national guidance;
• clarify the concept of Priority Urban Areas;
• make clear that the Core Strategy seeks a better alignment of jobs and housing rather than the latter being "jobs led";
• make clear that new infrastructure is needed to be provided in parallel with new development rather than being a "precondition" for development;
• bring Town Centre and Retail Development policy in line with national policy;
• set out a minimum requirement for renewable energy provision in new development;
• simplify proportions and thresholds regarding negotiations for affordable housing;
• give greater recognition to the internationally important biodiversity of the foreshore;
• add paragraphs setting out that Waste will be addressed in a separate Waste Core Strategy;
• add paragraphs on how the needs of gypsies and travellers will be addressed;
• give greater prominence to the rold of Renaissance Southend Limited (RSL) as delivery vehicle;
• give greater prominence to the economic importance of Southend Airport;
• provide more detail to enable delivery of the Core Strategy to be monitored and managed.