The Southend Central Area Action Plan sets out proposed planning policies by the Council for managing development and assessing planning applications in Southend Central Area through to 2021.
The Council has received the final report from the Inspector, Mr Mike Fox, who has carried out the independent examination of the Southend Central Area Action Plan. He issued the report following the examination hearing sessions that were held in May 2017 and after considering the representations that were made on the proposed modifications to the plan.
The Inspector recommends a number of proposed modifications to the draft – mostly proposed by the Council during the examination – and concluded that the SCAAP “provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the Central Area.”
This means that, if and when formally adopted by Southend Council, it will become part of the development plan for Southend.
Cllr Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Sustainability, welcomed the inspector’s findings. He said: “I am delighted that the Planning Inspector has agreed with the soundness of this key document that will play a critical role in shaping future development in the town centre and central seafront.
“It has taken many years to reach this stage and we have listened carefully and responded to the differing views of local people and businesses throughout the process.
“We believe that, once adopted, the SCAAP will facilitate the new growth, housing, jobs and infrastructure that the Borough needs in a way that is sustainable and safeguards the local environment.
“The next step will be for the Council to formally adopt the SCAAP at our Full Council meeting in February, after which we can start using it.”
The full report from the Planning Inspector, along with the agreed modifications, can be found here: www.southend.gov.uk/scaap