Castle Point Borough Council in Essex has published a draft local plan that rules out releasing any green belt land, despite proposing to meet only 53% of the government\u2019s housing target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Castle Point Borough Council writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Castle Point Borough Council has published a draft of the Castle Point Plan ahead of a Cabinet meeting on 23 July. At the meeting members will decide whether to approve the Plan for an eight-week public consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Castle Point Plan will replace the outdated 1998 Local Plan and sets out the vision for the Borough and where development should take place from April 2026 to March 2043. It has been shaped by extensive engagement with communities, businesses and stakeholders including surveys, in-person sessions and an \u2018engagement through art\u2019 programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At its core are four strategic policies: enhancing the Borough\u2019s green spaces; making effective use of urban land with sustainable density targets; meeting development needs through clearly identified housing and employment land allocations; and securing the facilities and transport improvements needed to support the needs of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Castle Point Plan will deliver around 6,196 new homes over the period 2026-2043 and ensure that there is sufficient employment land and commercial spaces to support the needs of the local economy. The Council has ruled out building on Green Belt land and the plan prioritises biodiversity, and flood-risk management and investment in green infrastructure. Each main township benefits from its own place-based policies to protect local character, support the vitality of town centres and guide appropriate business growth and the delivery of facilities for the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: \u2018This Plan is built on what our residents told us matters most – protecting the green spaces that define Castle Point, while making sure new homes and infrastructure are delivered in the right places and at the right scale. Development at all costs is simply not acceptable.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cllr Tim Copsey, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning, said: \u2018Our approach balances genuine local need with environmental protection, ensuring homes for our residents, alongside quality employment space and the infrastructure to support a thriving local economy.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n