Uttlesford District Council is commencing the preparation of its new Local Plan with public consultation and engagement potentially beginning later this year.

This process is likely to include a ‘call for sites’ exercise as an issues and options draft of a new Local Plan is produced. There will therefore be opportunities to promote land for housing and commercial development, and to potentially influence emerging policies at an early stage.

Uttlesford District Council is located within north Essex and is an area with high development needs. The council recently produced a new Local Plan, however this has since been withdrawn after concerns were raised by the appointed inspector regarding the deliverability of the proposed large garden communities, which formed the central pillar of the plan’s development strategy.

A new strategy now needs to be prepared and new locations for growth will be required to accommodate future housing and commercial development.

It is anticipated that the council will need to allocate a mixture of sites to meet its development needs including at smaller settlements, in and on the edge of existing towns and villages, on brownfield sites and perhaps in a new settlement or settlements. All options will need to be reviewed to identify new available and suitable sites.

If you have sites that could be promoted, this may be the time to realise the development potential of your land. Carter Jonas is here to help and with our proven track record can help guide you through the process and facilitate positive engagement with the council and other stakeholders.