North Essex Garden Towns Plan judged to be ‘unsound’.
Proposals to build 43,000 homes across three new towns have been judged “unsound” by the government planning inspector. Colchester, Tendring and Braintree councils have been told to withdraw West Tey, up to 24,000 homes, and West of Braintree, up to 10,000, from the joint section of their Local Plan. The Inspector however did support work on the third town, on the Colchester/Tendring border, of up to 9,000 properties. The Inspector is in the process of sending a full letter detailing modifications. The next steps are for the councils to a) accept his suggested modifications b) appeal c) start again. The councils are meeting on 27th July.
Regarding the Braintree DC Section 2 plan, planning applications granted now mean that 98% of Braintree’s new home requirement to 2033 has been met. However BDC now need to approve a further buffer of 20%.