In the news: Basildon Borough's Future in Sight as Local Plan Consultation officially launches

The Regulation 18 Consultation offers residents a valuable opportunity to view and comment on the key policies of the Draft Local Plan that will guide the borough's development for the next two decades.  

The consultation is being hosted on the council's online consultation platform, Commonplace, where people can access information about the Local Plan and provide their feedback: https://basildonlocalplan.commonplace.is/. 

The consultation includes sections on housing, transport infrastructure, climate change and other areas that contribute toward the growth of the borough. 

The consultation process is designed to engage the local community in discussions about the future of Basildon Borough, allowing residents to have a direct say on areas that matter most to them. Whether it's where new housing is located or how the borough addresses climate change, this is an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the borough's future. 

Councillor Adele Brown, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure said: "The launch of the Local Plan Consultation marks a significant milestone in our vision for Basildon Borough's future. We must remember the real people behind these policies—the families, young adults, key workers, and seniors who call Basildon Borough home. This plan isn't just about maps and statistics; it's about creating a community where people feel connected, secure, and proud to live. 

"By having a clear, evidence-based plan in place, we can ensure that development is responsible and sustainable, meeting the needs of our current and future residents. This process is about creating jobs, providing much-needed housing, and ensuring that our borough remains a place where people want to live and work. 

"With this plan, we're committed to delivering infrastructure at the point of need, ensuring that as Basildon grows, our community has the support it requires in transport, education, healthcare, and green spaces. 

"The launch of the consultation marks an exciting step towards our future, and we want to hear from everyone in Basildon Borough throughout this process. Over the next 10 weeks, we'll be reaching out, inviting every voice, every perspective. We'll host town hall style meetings, online forums, and where necessary one-on-one sessions, providing multiple ways for everyone to participate and making sure every voice is heard. 

"It's a shared blueprint for a Basildon Borough that we all come together to build, brick by brick, voice by voice." 

The consultation is now open, and everyone is encouraged to have their say. The platform allows users to comment on specific sections of the plan, providing feedback on everything from the local economy to environmental sustainability. 

To participate, visit the consultation platform at: https://basildonlocalplan.commonplace.is/. The consultation will close on 13 January 2025. 

Ends 

Published 18 November 2024 

Notes to editor: 

Basildon Council is required by law to complete a Local Plan for the Borough.  

Following the withdrawal of the then emerging Local Plan in early 2022, the council has been developing a new Local Plan for Basildon Borough.  

The consultation forms part of a timetable of activity which has been set by Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Following the consultation the Draft Local Plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspector in early 2025 for examination. 

Contact Basildon Council's Press Office at pressoffice@basildon.gov.uk for further information.