Southend Local Plan Conversation

The Local Plan sets out a vision and framework for future development. By taking part in this consultation you can influence how we meet our local needs, protect our natural spaces, mitigate and adapt to climate change, ensure high-quality design and ensure development is infrastructure led.

The Local Plan will provide a degree of certainty for communities, businesses and investors on future development proposals, and a framework for guiding decisions on individual planning applications.

There have been three earlier stages of consultation the Local Plan’s preparation:

• Issues and Options document in 2019 – asked for views about the opportunities and challenges facing Southend to address in the new plan
• Refining the Options document in 2021 – set out more detailed consideration of these issues and potential policy options and potential site allocations
• Preferred Approach with Options document in 2025 - using feedback from previous consultations, evidence gathered from a range of sources, it asked for views on draft planning policies across a wide range of issues including infrastructure provision, housing, transport, employment and retail, health and wellbeing, heritage, design and placemaking, managing the natural environment, seafront, and flood risk.

Previous Consultation responses can be viewed here Southend-on-Sea New Local Plan.

Stage 4 - Proposed Submission Document - Publication (Regulation 19)

Southend-on-Sea City Council has been formally instructed by Central Government to publish its current draft Local Plan for public consultation. Following this direction, the Council will publish the draft Local Plan and undertake public consultation from early November, giving residents, businesses and community groups the opportunity to review the document and provide their feedback.

A Regulation 19 consultation is not the same as an early-stage [Regulation 18] consultation. By this point, the council has identified its preferred planning strategy, proposed development sites and planning policies. The consultation is therefore more focused and technical than previous stages.

The purpose of Regulation 19 is to allow individuals, community groups, businesses and other interested parties to make formal representations on whether the Local Plan is legally compliant and "sound". A plan is generally considered ‘sound’ if it is positively prepared, justified by evidence, effective and consistent with national planning policy.

Be part of Southend's next chapter.

Southend-on-Sea City Council has been formally directed by Central Government to publish its draft Local Plan for consultation at the Regulation 19 stage. This marks a significant milestone in the planning process before the Plan is submitted for independent examination.

The Local Plan includes a long-term strategy for how Southend will grow and thrive, shaping investment, supporting economic development, guiding new homes and infrastructure, and helping to create sustainable communities across the city.

This consultation provides an opportunity for residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders to review the draft Plan and share their views. Your feedback will help ensure the Plan reflects local priorities while supporting Southend's future needs and opportunities.

Take part in the consultation and help shape a confident, sustainable and prosperous future for Southend.

More information, including consultation materials and details on how to respond, will be available when the consultation opens. The consultation opened on Friday 6 November 2026 and will close at 5pm on Monday 21 December 2026.

To comment on the consultation please visit Southend-on-Sea New Local Plan once you have registered/logged in you can comment on all elements of the plan.

Please email planningpolicy@southend.gov.uk if you have any questions about this consultation.

*Please note all comments are required to be published online alongside your name. We are not able to accept anonymous comments.