The Spatial Planning team carries out specialist services on behalf of borough and district councils and service groups within Essex County Council, including monitoring of new developments.

We record how much development has taken place, what type it is, and how much is planned for the future. This includes whether new developments are on previously developed land (brownfield) or undeveloped land (greenfield), housing densities and the proportion of new housing that is designated as ‘affordable’. From this we are able to draw a clearer picture of the current development trends within the Essex area, and identify whether actual delivery matches the proposals set out in local development plans.

We also monitor the condition of the Essex environment covering a wide range of aspects such as biodiversity, landscape, heritage, air and water quality, noise, and social trends. This baseline information is used to test whether the local development plans and county council plans which are being prepared will have an impact on the local environment. The results are used to improve the plans so that they enhance the local environment and do not have major adverse effects.

The information collected within these specialist services is used to advise decision makers. The work of the Spatial Planning team ensures that district and borough councils across the county have the best information available to carry out their work.