The Council has a statutory responsibility to have an up-to-date local plan.

The Council does not have one and is reliant on a 1998 local plan and national policies.

This is unacceptable and means that the Borough is vulnerable to inappropriate, unplanned and speculative development and planning by appeal.

It also means that the Council will struggle to make the best possible case for investment in the Borough, in particular new infrastructure.

Therefore, an up-to-date local plan is the only way to manage these risks and create greater certainty.

The Castle Point Plan

In preparing the Castle Point Plan the Council has set out to produce a sound plan that is the most appropriate for the Borough.

It has done so through extensive community engagement and through extensive new evidence.

The Castle Point Plan aligns with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Regulation 19

The Council has published the draft Castle Point Plan, outlining its development priorities through to 2043.

This publication is so that the Council can consult the public under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Plans) Regulations 2012.