Rochford District Council has been awarded £70,000 in funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to conduct a review of its Green Belt. This assessment will play a key role in shaping the Council’s Local Plan, ensuring the continued protection of valuable Green Belt land while also considering areas that may align with the government’s newly defined Grey Belt.
The funding was awarded following the Council’s successful expression of interest (EOI), with Rochford being among a number of authorities to receive support for Green Belt assessment. The review will play an essential role in informing the Council’s revised Local Development Plan (LDP), the timetable for completion of which was approved at the Planning Policy Committee meeting on 16 January 2025.
Councillor Jim Cripps, Chair of Planning Policy Committee for Rochford District Council, said: “We are committed to protecting our Green Belt while also ensuring that our Local Plan meets the needs of our residents. This funding from the MHCLG will enable us to carry out a thorough assessment, ensuring that we safeguard our most valuable green spaces while taking a balanced approach to future development. We are pleased to be among the few authorities selected for this important work, and we look forward to progressing with a plan that reflects both national policy and local priorities.”
The Green Belt review will be undertaken as part of the Council’s wider Local Plan process, with findings set to inform future planning decisions and strategies.
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