UDC Neighbourhood Planning Support

January 15, 2026 Approved View on council website
Full council record
Content

RESOLVED to approve the following:

 

a.    
the proposed financial and officer support for
Neighbourhood Planning groups from UDC as described by this report, which
consists of:

i.               
£5,000 grant to Larger Villages who are
proposing non-strategic housing allocations (part of which will fund an SEA)

ii.             
‘In-kind’ officer support (to an approximate
value of £5,000 in officer time) for specific technical support to Larger
Villages who are proposing non-strategic housing allocations

iii.            
General Officer advice/ support for the Larger
Villages (as above)

iv.            
Half a day per week funding for the Rural
Community Council for Essex (RCCE) to enable them to support up to six Smaller
Villages (total £14,700 per annum)

v.             
General officer advice/ support for other
communities who may wish to pursue Neighbourhood Planning, subject to
availability of resources.

 

b.    
A proposed hybrid approach Note to supporting
Neighbourhood Planning with UDC Officers primarily supporting the Larger
Villages who are proposing non-strategic housing allocations, and RCCE
primarily supporting Smaller Villages), albeit with realistic limits for how
many communities can be supported at any one time.

 

c.    
To agree to the annual review of the Council’s
approach/ protocol for supporting Neighbourhood Planning.

Related Meeting

Cabinet - Thursday, 15th January, 2026 7.00 pm on January 15, 2026

Supporting Documents

Neighbourhood Planning Support report.pdf
Appendix 1 Summary of the support to Larger Villages.pdf
Appendix 2 Updated Neighbourhood Plan Protocol.pdf

Details

OutcomeRecommendations Approved
Decision date15 Jan 2026
Subject to call-inYes