“Reforming the planning system through a ‘steamroller’ strategy risks damaging local democracy and failing to meet genuine housing needs.” That is the view of lead councillors of Rochford District Council, who have sent an open letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, to raise their concerns.
The letter follows recent comments made on national television by the Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, in which he criticised the Council for refusing a planning application for 660 homes - which was later approved on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.
Lead councillors from Rochford District Council have urged the government to adopt a more realistic and locally informed approach to housing targets and planning policy. The councillors believe the government’s current policy overlooks the complexity of balancing national housing ambitions with local infrastructure and community needs.
In the letter sent this week, signed by Cllr Adrian Eves, Chair of the Development Committee; Council Leader, Cllr Danielle Belton; and Cllr Simon Wootton, Chair of the Planning Policy Committee – they highlighted key concerns, including:
- Unrealistic Housing Targets – Current government targets for the Rochford District are more than double the number identified as necessary by the Office for National Statistics.
- Infrastructure Pressures – Local roads, NHS provision, and education facilities cannot sustain large-scale development without significant central government investment.
- Affordable Housing Challenges – Expectations placed on housing associations to deliver a high proportion of affordable homes are financially unsustainable, given the scale of development proposed.
- Planning System Backlogs – Delays caused by the Planning Inspectorate undermine the democratic process and contribute to uncertainty for communities and developers.
- Economic Risks – Rapid, large-scale development could drive up costs rather than reduce house prices, due to pressure on materials, labour, and land.
Councillor Adrian Eves, Chair of the Development Committee at Rochford District Council, said: “We felt this letter was necessary following the Minister’s recent comments on national television where he singled out Rochford for refusing a planning application. Whilst we understand the need for additional housing, we believe the current approach is neither evidence-based nor deliverable. Reforming the planning system through a ‘steamroller’ strategy risks damaging local democracy and failing to meet genuine housing needs. We urge the government to work with councils, not against them, to create sustainable plans that reflect real data and local realities.”
The Council has also invited the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government to visit Rochford to see the challenges first-hand and engage in constructive dialogue.