Consultation and the Community Stakeholder Forum
These are the main stages of consultation on the new Local Plan.
First consultation - current stage
Sometimes referred to as the 'Issues and Options' stage, the first consultation takes place before we have developed any proposals and it's open for everyone to get involved.
We will be carrying out extensive engagement on a wide range of different themes, starting with 'Where you live' from 11 November 2020. This programme of 'mini consultations' will be aligned to the Community Stakeholder Forum meeting schedule (described below) and is due to run until the end of May 2021. We will use all comments and ideas to inform our work on a draft version of the Local Plan.
Draft Local Plan
We will consult again when a draft version of the Local Plan has been prepared. This is due to be in Spring 2022, after which we will make any necessary changes to address the comments received.
Publication
We will provide a further opportunity to comment when a final version of the Local Plan has been prepared. This is due to be in Spring 2023, after which we will submit the plan for government approval together with the comments received.
Community Stakeholder Forum
The Community Stakeholder Forum has been established to complement and enhance the consultation process by providing a platform for discussion amongst the community. During the first consultation, 
local representatives [138.04KB] from a range of backgrounds will liaise with others and bring different perspectives to a discussion around each of the themes. Further details on these local representatives can be found here.
The Forum's meetings will take place every two weeks, they will be live-streamed for anyone to watch and recordings will be uploaded to our YouTube channel so people can catch up afterwards. To reflect the fact that live and recorded meetings will be available online, a specific privacy notice has been published. You can also view and download
The Terms of Reference [148.44KB] which defines the purpose of the forum.
When a new theme is introduced to the Forum, information will appear under the relevant heading below and a four-week mini consultation will start. Comments received after the deadline will not be discussed by the Forum but, provided they are received before the end of the final mini consultation, we will still take them into account when we prepare a first draft of the Local Plan.
There is also a regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions page which can be found here.
Inaugural meeting
The introductory meeting of the Forum was held on 28 October 2020, and included a discussion on the role of the Forum and the new Local Plan. Both a short introductory video and a full meeting recording are available to watch online using the following links:
Inaugural Meeting Introduction
Theme 1 - Where you live
On 11 November, the Forum received a presentation by Dr Noha Nasser on 15-minute neighbourhoods. The presentation slides are available
here [2.22MB], and a short video of the presentation is available to watch below;
This marks the start of our open consultation, meaning anyone can comment on a
short consultation document [499.4KB] (pdf download) on the theme of 'Where you live'. and an accessible version can be viewed here.
If you would like to make comments, please use our consultation portal.
Alternatively, you can download a 
word version of the form [267.66KB], which you can complete and return by email or post using the addresses at the bottom of the page.
The comments received during the first four weeks have been summarised in the
Theme 1 consultation summary [676.57KB] and were discussed by the Forum on 13 January. The consultation remains open until 21 April 2021.
Theme 2 - Character and heritage
On 25 November, the Forum received a presentation by landscape architect and master-planner Noel Farrer. The presentation slides are available
here [6.39MB], and a short video of the presentation is available to watch below;
The consultation on this theme is now open and anyone can comment on a short consultation document [769.92KB] on 'character and heritage'. (pdf download) and an accessible version can be viewed here.
If you would like to make comments, please use our consultation portal.
Alternatively, you can download a word version of the form [185.67KB], which you can complete and return by email or post using the addresses at the bottom of the page.
Theme 3 - Climate change
On 9 December, the Forum received a presentation by Sam Kennedy, Director of Environment & Climate Action at Essex County Council. The presentation slides are available
here [2.64MB], and a short video of the presentation is available to watch below;
The consultation on this theme is now open and anyone can comment on a short
short consultation document [146.36KB] on 'climate change'. (pdf download) and an accessible version can be viewed here.
If you would like to make comments, please use our consultation portal.
Alternatively, you can download a
word version of the form [245.75KB], which you can complete and return by email or post using the addresses at the bottom of the page.
Theme 4 - Transport
On 13 January, the Forum received a presentation by Andrew Summers, Strategic Director at Transport East. The presentation slides are available
here [1.28MB], and a and a short video of the presentation is available to watch below;
The consultation on this theme is now open and anyone can comment on a short
short consultation document [306.04KB] on 'transport'. (pdf download) and an accessible version can be viewed here.
If you would like to make comments, please use our consultation portal.
Alternatively, you can download a
word version of the form [258.88KB], which you can complete and return by email or post using the addresses at the bottom of the page.
To comment on this and earlier themes on the consultation portal please use the button below
Guide to using the consultation portal [329.75KB]
Theme 5 - Leisure, culture and healthy lifestyles
Consultation on this theme will commence after the Forum's meeting on 27 January 2021. If you would like to watch the meeting live, please note the start time of 7pm and use the link here to join.
Theme 6 - Biodiversity
Consultation on this theme will commence after the Forum's meeting on 10 February 2021. If you would like to watch the meeting live, please note the start time of 7pm and use the link here to join.
Theme 7 - Local economy
Consultation on this theme will commence after the Forum's meeting on 24 February 2021. If you would like to watch the meeting live, please note the start time of 7pm and use the link here to join.
Theme 8 - Homes
Consultation on this theme will commence after the Forum's meeting on 10 March 2021. If you would like to watch the meeting live, please note the start time of 7pm and use the link here to join.
Theme 9 - Creating new places and communities
Consultation on this theme will commence after the Forum's meeting on 24 March 2021. If you would like to watch the meeting live, please note the start time of 7pm and use the link here to join.
