Why No Parish Council in Rochford Has Produced a Neighbourhood Plan – And How They Could Still Protect Local Areas from Development

Neighbourhood Plans are meant to give communities a greater say over development in their area. Since being introduced by the Localism Act 2011, hundreds of communities across England have adopted them. Yet in the Rochford District – covering towns and villages like Rayleigh, Hockley, Hullbridge, and Great Wakering – not one parish or town council has produced one. Why?

Why Haven’t They Done It?

1. Lack of Capacity
Neighbourhood Plans are time-consuming. They require project management, public consultation, evidence gathering, and navigating legal processes. Most parish councils in Rochford have small teams of part-time staff or rely solely on volunteers. It’s a big ask with limited capacity.

2. Cost
Preparing a plan can cost £10,000–£30,000. Grants are available, but not all parishes are aware of them or confident in managing the funds. The return on investment isn’t always clear to local councils operating on tight budgets.

3. Limited Influence
Some parishes feel sceptical about the power of these plans. A Neighbourhood Plan must align with national policy and the district’s Local Plan. It can shape development but can’t stop it altogether. This perceived limitation has deterred some councils from starting one.

4. Delays in the Local Plan
Rochford District Council’s Local Plan process has stalled multiple times over the past decade. Without clarity at the district level, it’s difficult for a parish to create a plan that fits within a wider planning framework.

Can Neighbourhood Plans Still Protect Areas?

Yes. While they can’t block development, Neighbourhood Plans can:

Designate Green Spaces: Protect important local areas – like community parks or fields – from development.

Influence Design Standards: Require new buildings to reflect local character and materials.

Direct Growth: Identify preferred sites for housing or business – and rule out less appropriate ones.

Prioritise Infrastructure: Push for better roads, cycleways, schools or GP capacity before new development is allowed.


What Can Parish Councils Do Instead?
If a Neighbourhood Plan feels out of reach, there are still ways to influence development:

Respond to Planning Applications: Object or comment on proposals, citing traffic, flood risk, overdevelopment or lack of services.

Engage in the Local Plan Process: Push the District Council to reflect local views in housing and infrastructure policies.

Work with Residents’ Groups: Joint campaigns carry more weight and can draw media or political attention.

Push for Article 4 Directions: In specific cases, restrict permitted development rights to prevent changes like office-to-residential conversions.


Conclusion
Neighbourhood Plans aren’t the only tool, but they are underused in Rochford. If parish councils want to protect their communities from unsuitable development, it’s time to either take the plunge – or step up other forms of engagement. The planning system won’t wait for anyone.

Want to know more about Neighbourhood Plans? Head on over to the Government’s guide or Locality Neighbourhood Plans here