The Government communication has directed the City Council to publish the existing draft Local Development Plan and undertake a public consultation from early November. 

Cllr Kevin Robinson, Cabinet Member for Planning, Property and Governance said:

"The Council has been formally instructed by Central Government to publish the current draft Local Plan for consultation, which we must now do, allowing for the consultation process during the remainder of the year.

“We will need to carefully consider the full implications of this Government direction, and we are taking legal advice accordingly.

"This does not mean that this draft local plan has been formally adopted by the City Council nor that it is the final version. I want to encourage all residents, businesses and community groups to take the opportunity to review this document and have their say.”

Further information

The Local Development Plan is the city's key planning document and sets out proposed policies for future development, housing, infrastructure and land use across Southend. 

The publication of the draft plan - also known as 'Regulation 19' - does not mean it has been formally adopted by the Council, nor does it represent the final version of the Local Plan. 

It is an important stage in the statutory planning process, allowing residents, businesses and stakeholders to review the draft document and provide feedback.

The Government communication is published on the council website here.

When the consultation is live, responses can be submitted through the dedicated Local Plan website: https://localplan.southend.gov.uk/. The site will be updated in advance of the consultation period.