Local Plan 2026

25.09.2026

Press release: Rochford District Council.

Council decision on the Rochford District Local Plan

At an Extraordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 23 September 2026, Rochford District Council approved the draft Local Plan (Regulation 19) for public consultation, with changes to the sites included in the Plan.
Councillors considered the draft Plan, its supporting documents and an addendum report. The addendum set out changes recommended by the Planning Policy Committee and the Member Reference Group, including changes to some of the proposed housing sites.
After debate, the Council voted to approve the Plan for consultation, subject to the site changes recommended by the Member Reference Group and the removal of six strategic site allocations (SR01 to SR06). Votes were as follows: 13 for, 0 against, 19 abstentions.
The Plan will now be updated to reflect these changes before the six-week public consultation begins. Consultation dates will be confirmed shortly.
Until a new Local Plan is adopted, the Council's current adopted Local Plan documents stay in place. These are the Core Strategy (2011), the Development Management Plan and Allocations Plan (2014) and the Area Action Plans (2014 and 2015). Although these are not up-to-date documents, until a Local Plan can be introduced planning applications will still be decided in line with them and national planning policy.
Details of how to take part in the consultation will be shared before it begins.
The meeting papers, including the draft Plan and supporting evidence, are available on the Council's website. You can watch the full meeting online via the @RochfordCouncil YouTube.

 

18.09.2026

The planning policy committee considered the draft ‘Regulation 19’ Local Plan and its supporting documents. The plan will now go before an Extraordinary Council meeting on 23 September, with a recommendation that it be approved for a six-week consultation. 

Here you will find Hullbridge Parish Council's response to the questions for the Local Plan Regulation 18.  Please feel free to copy and paste (and edit where appropriate) the answers here for your own individual submission. Let your voices be heard about the future shaping of Hullbridge and the housing proposals. The deadline to submit your response by is Tuesday 24th March 2026. Link here to send your submissions: https://rochford.oc2.uk/

Time sensitive -Leaflet for residents outlining information, important dates for residents to respond to consultation and meeting dates for residents they can attend - uploaded 10.02.2026  

10.02.2026

Local Plan - Important information
Hullbridge Parish Council have plans and documentation for residents to view during opening times (Mon 12-2pm, Tues-Thurs 10am to 2pm).

Details below sent to us from Rochford District Council:
Rochford District Council is consulting on the early draft Local Plan, published under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. This marks an early stage in preparing the new Local Plan and nothing is fixed at this point.

Purpose of this consultation
We are seeking views on:
• the draft vision and objectives
• the emerging policy direction
• the sites identified for further testing

Consultation period
• Monday 9 February 2026 – 5pm Tuesday 24 March 2026
All comments must be received by the deadline.

How to take part
Further information about the Local Plan is available on our website:
• www.rochford.gov.uk/new-local-plan
You can view the consultation documents and submit comments online at:
• https://rochford.oc2.uk/
If you have any queries, if you wish to discuss any matters with officers before submitting your response, or if you require more information, please contact the team via email at planning.policy2@rochford.gov.uk

Engagement events
Council officers will be available to discuss the draft Plan at the following drop in sessions:
• Rayleigh – Mill Arts & Events Centre, SS6 7ED – 19 February, 1–5pm
• Hullbridge – Hullbridge Community Centre, SS5 6PA – 23 February, 3–7pm and 28th February 9am - Noon 
• Hockley – Old Fire Station, SS5 4QH – 25 February, 3–7pm
• Rochford – Freight House, SS4 1BU – 3 March, 1–5pm
• Great Wakering – Memorial Hall, SS3 0EF – 5 March, 3–7pm

Viewing hard copies
Printed documents are available at:

• Hullbridge Parish Council - 98 Ferry Road, Hullbridge, SS5 6EX during opening times (Mon Noon - 2pm, Tues - Thurs 10am to Noon)
• Rochford District Council reception (inside Rochford Library), SS4 1PX
• All district libraries
• Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh, SS6 7ED
• Clements Hall Leisure Centre, Hockley, SS5 4LN
• Rayleigh Leisure Centre, SS6 9NF
 

Local Plan - 2021