From Braintree District Council A news article with links to resources for residents on the Regulation 19 consultation is also available via this link: https://news.news.braintree.gov.uk/bye-hh424/Share
Following approval by Full Council on 21 September 2026, the Submission Draft Local Plan (Regulation 19) consultation is now live. The consultation runs until 5pm on Friday 6 November 2026 and provides the final opportunity for residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders to comment before the plan is submitted for independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate.
This consultation stage is different to previous, which is inviting comments on the ‘legal compliance’ and ‘soundness’ of the Local Plan and supporting documents.
How to view the plan and submit comments
View the Submission Draft Local Plan and supporting documents and submit comments online via www.braintree.gov.uk/localplanreg19.
Guidance on how to make a representation is available on the website.
- Hard copies of the plan and paper response forms are available at district libraries and at Causeway House during normal opening hours.
- Paper responses can be returned by post to: Planning Policy, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex CM7 9HB or email to planningpolicy@braintree.gov.uk.
- A series of in-person drop-in events are planned during October, as well as an online webinar for those unable to attend in-person. People will need to register to attend the webinar and submit questions beforehand, and details of these events can be found on our website: www.braintree.gov.uk/localplan2043.
We recognise that the Local Plan is an important topic for communities across the district. To help answer questions and support conversations locally, we have included some key messages below:
The Local Plan is more than just housing. It identifies the future of the district’s employment spaces and job creation, green spaces, nature recovery, community facilities, road improvements and much more. It’s also about protecting our district from development that’s not right for the Braintree district.
Once the final plan is adopted, it will allocate land for development in the Braintree district over a 15 year period. This is why it’s important for residents, businesses, communities and all interested parties to have their say, engage with the proposed plan and share ideas for shaping the district’s future.
Housing target
The council does not set the number of homes it is required to plan for. Housing targets are set by central government through the national planning system which are mandatory, not optional. For the Braintree district, the plan proposes to allocate land to deliver at least 19,261 homes between 2026 and 2043, equivalent to around 1,133 homes per year.
While the council does not set the number of homes it is required to plan for, it does have a responsibility to plan for them. An up-to-date Local Plan gives us greater influence over where development takes place and helps secure the infrastructure communities need alongside growth.
Much of this growth will come from existing planned sites. We have identified sites that will deliver further homes by 2043 to meet the needs and provide a buffer to ensure the target is met.
There is demand for housing across the country and in our district. Having a Local Plan can help us improve the level of housing supply to reduce waiting times for people on the housing register.
Without an up-to-date Local Plan, planning decisions are more likely to be determined against national planning policy rather than locally agreed policies. This can reduce the council’s ability to influence where development takes place and make it harder to secure infrastructure alongside growth.
Over 300 sites were submitted to the council for consideration, which would be able to provide over 100,000 new homes. There are 50 site allocations in this Submission Draft Local Plan – 10 are strategic growth locations and 40 are non-strategic locations including brownfield sites in urban areas that can contribute to regeneration.
Evidence base
The Local Plan is supported by a comprehensive evidence base covering housing, employment, transport, infrastructure, climate change, the natural environment, town centres, health, education and heritage.
These studies help ensure that policies are based on robust evidence and that planned growth is realistic and deliverable.
All evidence documents are available on the consultation portal.
Infrastructure
The Local Plan seeks to ensure that homes, jobs and infrastructure are planned together.
It identifies the infrastructure needed to support growth, including transport improvements, schools, healthcare facilities, utilities, green spaces and community facilities.
What happens next
All comments received at Regulation 19 stage will be passed directly to the Planning Inspectorate who will then consider whether any changes are needed, along with the updated Braintree District Local Plan (Regulation 19) and supporting documents for examination. This will take the form of public examination hearings, led by Government-appointed Planning Inspector/s.
If they recommend changes to be made, known as main modifications, we will consult on those modifications where all feedback received will be passed directly to the inspector, who will consider it carefully before reaching their final conclusion on whether the Local Plan is ‘sound’ and produce a written report outlining their final recommendations.
We have a suite of resources available on our website to support residents:
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Local Plan summary booklet updated for Regulation 19
• Guidance on how to write a representation