Have your say on the Castle Point Plan
What is the Castle Point Plan?
A priority for the Council is creating a bright and prosperous future for Castle Point. Key to this is planning how our borough will develop in the coming decades. We must ensure we have the right housing, infrastructure, green spaces and services to meet residents needs as we change and grow. To this end, we are developing the Castle Point Plan.
When complete, the Castle Point Plan will act as a framework to inform planning decisions and guide development in the borough over the next 20 years.
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Phases in preparing the Castle Point Plan
Issues Identification (complete)
We undertook engagement on the issues that should be addressed through the Castle Point Plan from March to August 2023. We received around 1,500 responses to the engagement and met around 200 residents out and about in the community. Alongside engagement work we also undertook studies and assessments that helped us understand the need for development and the role the places and spaces within the borough play in meeting people's needs.
Issues and Options (underway)
We have listened to the initial engagement and reviewed the evidence base work undertaken in the issues identification stage to identify the key issues we need to address through the plan and some options for addressing those issues. We are now engaging with residents, partner organisations and other stakeholders during July to September 2024 to ensure we are heading in the right direction and to find out which options they prefer.
Draft Plan (early 2025)
We will use the responses to the Issues and Options Engagement to draft the Castle Point Plan. As part of this process we will finalise the evidence base to ensure that we are asking for the transport, infrastructure and environmental enhancements that residents and partner organisations require to support growth in the borough. Consultation on the draft Castle Point Plan will take place in early 2025.
Have your say
Castle Point Plan - Issues & Options Consultation
JOIN OUR ONLINE ENGAGEMENT SESSION TODAY (6 September 2024) 2 PM Click here to JOIN What is the Castle Point Plan? The Castle Point Plan will set out the policies and proposals for the how the borough will develop over the next 20 years. The plan will define what the needs of residents are including: The types of industrial and commercial spaces required. Infrastructure requirements such as roads, shops, and healthcare...
Castle Point Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Scoping Report
In preparing the Castle Point Plan the Council must ensure that the proposals it sets out will not cause harm to the integrity of Habitats Sites. Habitats Sites are those sites which are designated under the Habitats Regulations, and locally include the Benfleet and Southend Marshes Special Protection Area. The Habitats Regulations Assessment Scoping Report identifies the sites that may be impacted by proposal in the Castle Point Plan, their vulnerabilities and the likely sources...
Castle Point Plan Equality Impact Assessment Scoping Report
The Castle Point Plan is for everybody who lives in, or will live in Castle Point over the next 20 years. It is therefore important that we ensure that it makes provision for everyone regardless of their characteristics. The Equality Act 2010 requires the Council to ensure that all its policies, including the Castle Point Plan: Eliminate discrimination, harrassment and victimisation; Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share relevant protected...
Castle Point Plan Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report and Initial Assessment of Strategic Options
In preparing the Castle Point Plan the Council must ensure that the proposals it sets out will achieve relevant environmental, economic and social objectives. The Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report and Initial Assessment of Strategic Options identifies a framework to assess emerging plans, policies, proposals and reasonable alternatives in the emerging Castle Point Plan. It also provides an initial assessment of the reasonable alternatives...
Call for Sites
Following an initial Call for Sites in early 2024, we are inviting the submission of further sites within the borough that may be suitable for the following uses: Housing and other residential uses – including specialist housing Commercial - including employment and retail Infrastructure – including community uses Green infrastructure - including biodiversity net gain and renewable energy This process is known as the...
South Benfleet Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan and Design Code
The South Benfleet Conservation Area is a valued area of heritage in the borough. As such it is important to manage the area effectively. As a consequence of this a South Benfleet Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan has been prepared, which once complete, will supersede the existing Character Appraisal and Management Plan . This appraisal is designed to enhance the understanding of South Benfleet Conservation Area and its development, informing future design....
Closed engagements and consultations
Local List of Heritage Assets Nominations
As part of the preparation of the Castle Point Plan, the Council is asking residents what they value about their local towns. This is your opportunity to nominate buildings that you value for their historic, architectural or cultural importance. They could end up on a register of local heritage assets, which have more protection against unsuitable development. These local heritage assets are not included on the national lists of 'Listed Buildings' and 'Scheduled Monuments'. They...
Local Wildlife Site Review Nominations
Local Wildlife Sites are areas of importance for nature conservation at a local level and are selected according to a specific set of criteria. Although they receive no legal protection, these sites must be considered by the Council before allocating them as land for development and when determining planning applications. Local Wildlife Sites are identified and selected locally using scientifically determined criteria and detailed surveys. Specific criteria are used for identifying...
Castle Point Open Space Assessment Survey
We have commissioned an open space assessment and are undertaking engagement with residents about how you use and value your local public open spaces and recreation facilities and what might improve their attractiveness to local people. The results will help us to understand the needs and aspirations of local people regarding the open space and recreation facilities in the area. This will help the us and our partners to plan for future provision based upon clear evidence...
Evidence Base
Find out more about the evidence base we've developed to support the development of the Castle Point Plan.