Final opportunity to take part in Chelmsford’s Local Plan consultation

There’s still time to have your say before the focused consultation closes at 4pm on Thursday 8 January. 

Help shape development in Chelmsford

The Local Plan is a long-term strategy guiding Chelmsford's growth. It sets out policies on where homes and businesses will be located, what infrastructure is needed and how to protect and enhance green spaces. A clear, up-to-date plan helps Chelmsford to remain a vibrant place to live.

The Local Plan is reviewed every five years to make sure that development is sustainable and responsibly planned. It’s important that the Local Plan meets local needs while reflecting residents’ views on how the district grows and develops. 

Focused consultation on additional sites proposals 

During the latest review process, it became clear that the council would need to bring forward more land for development to meet the Government’s increased housing needs target and ensure a sufficient supply of new homes for the first five years of the Local Plan.

To ensure the draft Local Plan can continue to progress smoothly, the council is proposing 11 new and three expanded housing development sites which can be added to the five-year land supply. 

This focused consultation is an opportunity for the public to review these proposals and share their comments with the council ahead of the draft Plan being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. 

Take part in the consultation

Before considering your response, you can read the full consultation documents online.

You can share your comments with the planning team in a number of ways:

• By completing the online form in the Planning Policy Consultation Portal. 
• By email to planning.policy@chelmsford.gov.uk
• By post to Spatial Planning Services, Chelmsford City Council, Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE.

The consultation closes at 4pm on Thursday 8 January. Comments made after the consultation has closed cannot be considered.

Next steps 

After the consultation has closed, Chelmsford City Council’s planning team will review and acknowledge all the comments that have been received. The team will then compile a summary of the main issues raised and publish it online. This document will also be shared with the independent Planning Inspector alongside copies of all the comments received during the focused consultation and the Pre-Submission consultation in February/ March 2025.

You can follow the progress of the Local Plan on the Chelmsford City Council website, www.chelmsford.gov.uk/lp-review