Where 61,000 homes could be built in south Essex local plans

The Echo’s interactive map, featured below, shows key sites proposed in emerging plans for Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford and Southend.

All four councils are progressing local plans that identify land for housing to meet Government targets, but none are complete.

None of the local plans are finalised and all emerging homes will still require planning permission from councils regardless of the Government-required local plans.

Southend

Protest - Campaigners have fiercely opposed building off Bournes Green (Image: Tricia Cowdrey)

Southend’s draft local plan proposes 14,700 homes, including 4,900 at Bournes Green New Neighbourhood and 1,760 at Better Queensway.

Southend Council’s preferred approach acknowledged the infrastructure difficulties of delivering the Government’s target of 28,000 homes.

The council said education, health, sewage, drainage and highways were already struggling under demand, calling for an "infrastructure-led" approach.

Southend’s local plan was paused in August amid political opposition to the controversial Bournes Green site.

Intervention - Matthew Pennycook has issued directions to Basildon and Southend (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

But on October 23, the Government ordered the council to press ahead, saying there was no convincing planning or evidence-based case for removing the proposed neighbourhood north of the city.

The row has since sparked a bitter political dispute at the council before the plan’s next stage.

Basildon

Basildon’s Regulation 19 plan allocates space for 28,430 homes, just above the 27,918-home requirement for 2023 to 2043.

Of these, 18,305 homes would come from specific allocations, with the rest built on brownfield sites, through existing permissions and in windfall developments.

Concerns have grown over the impact on roads, schools and medical services, particularly after Essex County Council raised transport objections.

Flats - 492 flats are already being built in Basildon town centre (Image: Newsquest)

In July, the Government ordered the council to press ahead with consultation despite the concerns.

Basildon Council has agreed to mount a legal challenge and could still remove sites if infrastructure needs cannot be met.

The proposed judicial review followed a warning from Matthew Pennycook that withdrawing the plan could be unlawful and trigger Government intervention.

Rochford

Rochford’s draft plan, due in September 2026, initially included strategic sites such as Dollymans Farm, land west of Wolsey Park and Tithe Park.

But the council voted to remove six major sites on September 23.

The six removed allocations included Dollyman’s Farm, Lubards Lodge Farm, Tithe Park, land west of Wolsey Park, land east of Rochford and Ashingdon, and land between Rochford and Southend.

Green belt - MP Mark Francois has repeatedly opposed building at Dollymans Farm (Image: Mark Francois)

The Government then issued a holding direction, pausing the plan while ministers review the changes.

The direction also blocked public consultation, with the council required to provide ministers with evidence and reasons for removing the sites by October 7.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook warned that removing so many sites had created "a significant housing shortfall" and could make the plan unsound.

Castle Point

Castle Point’s plan provides for 6,196 homes under an "urban first" approach that avoids Green Belt land.

Transport - Castle Point councillors have warned of pressure on the roads (Image: Castle Point Council)

The council says transport problems and the need to protect green space justify the lower target.

But planning inspectors have questioned whether the plan meets the borough’s needs and warned it may be unsound.

Planning inspectors have considered the evidence, with a decision expected "soon" and due to be published on the council’s website.

What comes next?

Plans across all four areas could still change during consultation, examination or further Government intervention.

Housing allocations can still change through consultation, council decisions, Government intervention or independent examination.

Even if land remains allocated, individual schemes must still win planning permission before work can begin.