Section: 1 Introduction

The Local Development Framework

This document is the Southend-on-Sea Development Management Issues and Options document. The Development Management Development Plan Document, when adopted, will form part of the Southend-on-Sea Local Development Framework (LDF).

The LDF was introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and comprises a number of statutory planning documents called Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and non-statutory further guidance set out in Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) which provides further development plan policy detail.

Southend-on-Sea's Core Strategy DPD was adopted in December 2007. The Core Strategy DPD sets out the key elements of the planning framework for Southend-on-Sea. It contains a spatial vision and strategy and the strategic objectives, core policies and a monitoring and implementation framework. The Core Strategy is a strategic level document that provides the framework for subsequent DPDs, including the Development Management DPD. The Core Strategy is being followed by seven further DPDs as listed below:

• Site Allocation DPD & Proposals Map;
• London Southend Airport & Environs Area Action Plan & Proposals Map;
• Southend Central Area Action Plan & Proposals Map;
• Development Management DPD & Proposals Map;
• Development Delivery DPD;
• Shoebury Area Action Plan & Proposal Map;
• Essex and Southend Joint Waste Core Strategy, Development Management Policies and Strategic Sites DPD; and
• Essex and Southend Joint Waste Site Non-Strategic Allocations DPD.

The Council adopted the Design and Townscape Guide SPD in 2009. This document gives clear contextual development and design guidance and should be referenced for any future development within Southend-on-Sea. Diagram 1 overleaf sets out the LDF and how the Development Management DPD fits within the development plan structure.

These documents, together with the East of England Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy) will collectively form the statutory Development Plan for the borough, guiding change for the next 15 years and beyond.

Purpose of the Development Management DPD

The Development Management DPD will support the Core Strategy DPD. It will set out the Council's detailed policies for positively managing development in the borough. The policies in the Development Management DPD will replace all of the remaining policies in the Southend-on-Sea Borough Local Plan Saved Policies, which lapses in September 2010 unless the Government Office for the East of England seeks to extend the period of these policies.

How to comment

The Council is committed to engaging the community and stakeholders in developing the policy direction for the Development Management DPD and seeks to encourage the widest debate possible. The information received from a number of earlier consultations from other LDF consultations has informed the preparation of this document together with work undertaken by Renaissance Southend Ltd

We are seeking your comments and suggestions on the Development Management Issues and Options put forward within this document.

Please make sure we receive your comments by 5 pm on 9^th August 2010.

Alternatively, you can use the contact methods below:

By email to: council@southend.gov.uk
By post to: Strategic Planning, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and the Environment,
PO Box 5557, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ZF

Please make it clear in your written comments which question you are commenting on.

Summaries and where practicable, full representations will be made available on the Council’s website and where appropriate other information points.

What Happens Next

After the consultation period has ended in August 2010, the Council will take into account all comments made before preparing a submission document for publication which will be subject to wider consultation on how it meets the Government’s tests of soundness. This document will include proposed planning policy which will be examined in public by an independent planning inspector who will make binding recommendation and judge whether the Development Management DPD is suitable to be considered for adoption by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Diagram 2 sets out the production timetable and future consultation periods for the Development Management DPD.

Diagram 2: Development Management DPD: Timetable