Rochford District Council is preparing a new Local Plan. This plan will set out where future homes, jobs and essential infrastructure could go, and the planning policies that will guide development for at least the next 15 years.
It’s a way for local people to control what is built and where by setting out a plan for Rochford, rather than relying purely on national planning guidance.
A Call for Sites is an opportunity for landowners, developers, site agents and promoters to let us know about land that could be suitable for development.
Priority window for submissions
The priority window to submit sites began on 30 September and ends on 31 October 2025. After this date, the planning team will be focused on other parts of the Local Plan process, so we strongly encourage submissions within this period.
Why now?
The last Call for Sites closed in 2018. Since then:
- The planning system has changed, which may affect whether some sites are available for consideration
- Circumstances of landowners, agents or developers may have changed
This priority window gives us a chance to:
- Check whether sites submitted previously are still available
- Invite new submissions from those who want to put fresh ideas forward
What has changed since 2018?
On 12 December 2024, the Government published an updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated guidance. This includes new Golden Rules on affordable housing and infrastructure that all sites, especially those in the Green Belt, must comply with. The full details are set out in paragraphs 156-159 of the NPPF.
If you have not already done so, please read the updated NPPF, as any site will need to be assessed against this national policy and guidance.
Call for Sites Questions and Answers
What is a Call for Sites?
A Call for Sites is part of preparing a Local Plan. It’s when landowners, developers and agents can tell the council about land they think could be suitable for future development, such as housing, employment or community uses.
Knowing where development might take place gives the council and the community the overview we need to plan together for Rochford’s future.
What happens after I submit a site?
First, the council’s planning team will assess the sites against planning policy, including new government requirements on affordable housing and infrastructure. Not every site submitted will be taken forward. The Local Plan process will involve weighing up many factors, including community feedback.
Do local people get a say?
Yes. A Call for Sites is an information-gathering exercise and is mainly for landowners and site promoters, but the Local Plan as a whole will go through several public consultations. Local residents, businesses and community groups will all have opportunities to comment before any decisions are made.
Can anyone submit a site, or only landowners?
Sites can be submitted by landowners, their agents or developers promoting land. If you don’t have control of the land, you can’t submit it, but you can take part in consultation later.
Can sites be suggested for things other than housing, like community facilities, green spaces, or business land?
Yes. We’re keen to know about potential land for jobs, infrastructure or community use, as well as housing.
What happens if a site is partly in Rochford and partly in another District?
You should submit it, and note the overlap in the submission form. We will liaise with neighbouring councils as needed.
How will residents find out which sites have been submitted?
Potential sites will be published in the revised Spatial Options Maps as the Local Plan progresses. All sites will be assessed against national rules and local evidence. Community consultation will be a key part of the decision making process.
What if I submitted a site last time and have changed my mind?
If, in light of the new policy or changes in your own circumstances, you no longer want your site to be part of the Call for Sites, please let us know so it can be withdrawn.
Which sites were submitted last time?
Our interactive map, created for the last consultation in Summer 2021, shows the majority of sites. There are a few exceptions, such as sites submitted more recently.
What happens next?
All of the sites put forward will be assessed for their suitability, availability and achievability for future development in due course. This includes considering whether the site is sustainably located, the presence of any constraints, and whether the site could be viably developed. It is important to note that any assessment undertaken by the Council at this stage does not allocate sites nor guarantee a site will become allocated in the future. It would be for the Council’s new Local Plan to allocate sites for meet future development needs.
For details on how sites which have been submitted are being assessed for consideration in the new Local Plan, please refer to the Council’s page on current and past consultations (see Related Content).
Where can I see past site assessments?
Since 2009, the Council has undertaken multiple Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA, formerly SHLAA). The purpose of the SHELAA is to evaluate the suitability and availability of land for housing or business use within the Rochford District over the next 10 years and, where possible, 11-15 years. The SHELAA identifies potential sites that could deliver future development and, in the case of housing, will consider how many homes could be delivered on each site and when. The SHELAA does not itself set policy and does not allocate land for development. It forms a key part of the evidence used to support the delivery of enough land for housing or business use in the long term.
The SHLAA is not a one-off study; it is updated periodically and an annual review of the list of sites included in the most recent SHLAA has been incorporated in each successive Authority (formerly Annual) Monitoring Report (AMR). Three previous SHLAAs have been produced to assess the availability of land for housing in the District; in 2009, 2012 and 2017. These SHLAAs can be downloaded below:
Contact Us
If you need more information on the Call for Sites or the SHELAA, please contact the Planning Policy team using this form.