08/10/2026
Hockley Parish Council wishes to address and correct misinformation currently circulating online which suggests that the Council has decided not to fund independent professional scrutiny of the Local Plan documents affecting Hockley. This matter has not been considered by the Council, and no decision has been made.
The Government has currently placed a holding direction on Rochford District Council’s request for an extension to the Local Plan timetable. As the Plan progresses towards Regulation 19, a significant number of sites have been removed, resulting in a shortfall against identified housing need. This may lead to consultation on a plan that could subsequently be found unsound at external examination. Rochford District Council had until 7 October to submit evidence to enable the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to consider the requested extension.
In these circumstances, Parish Councillors cannot lawfully make decisions on a matter before it has been formally presented to them, as doing so could amount to predetermination.
For the Council to make a lawful decision, the matter must be included as an agenda item, or motion, at a properly convened meeting. The meeting must be advertised with three clear days’ notice, and sufficient supporting information must be made available to enable Councillors to reach an informed decision. This process also ensures that residents are aware the matter will be discussed and have the opportunity to attend the meeting and raise any relevant points before the Council reaches a resolution.
Before members could consider whether to fund professional scrutiny of the Local Plan, a clear statement of works would need to be prepared for any consultant. This would need to set out the surveys and reports required, together with the specific elements of the Plan to be reviewed. The Regulation 19 Local Plan covers a wide range of policy areas, from wildlife to education, and the Council would therefore need to understand precisely which areas it was being asked to fund for professional review.
Before prices could be sought from suitably qualified consultants, the Council would need to agree a clear brief setting out the scope and purpose of the work. This would ensure that any quotations received are comparable, relevant and based on the same requirements.
The specific parts of the Regulation 19 Local Plan to be scrutinised, for example , site allocations, transport, infrastructure, education, health provision, wildlife, flooding, sustainability or other policy areas.
The purpose of the scrutiny, including whether the review is intended to assess soundness, evidence base, compliance with planning policy, impact on Hockley, or potential grounds for representation.
The geographical area to be considered, including whether the work relates only to Hockley Parish or to wider policies and allocations affecting the surrounding area.
The documents and evidence to be reviewed, including the Regulation 19 Plan, supporting technical evidence, consultation documents, site assessments, sustainability appraisal and any relevant background papers.
The professional expertise required, such as planning policy, highways, infrastructure, ecology, housing need, landscape, drainage, legal or other specialist advice.
The outputs required from the consultant, for example a written report, technical review, advice note, recommended consultation response, attendance at a Council meeting, or support at examination stage.
The level of detail expected, including whether the Council requires a high-level review or a detailed technical assessment.
The timescale for completion, particularly where consultation deadlines or Council meeting dates apply.
The budget available or the basis on which costs should be provided, including fixed fee, hourly rate, staged work or optional additional services.
The procurement requirements to be followed, including the number of quotations required, any threshold requirements under the Council’s financial regulations, and confirmation that providers have appropriate qualifications, insurance and experience.
Any conflicts of interest, previous involvement, or independence requirements that consultants would need to declare.
The decision-making process for appointing a consultant, including how quotations would be evaluated and when the matter would be considered by Full Council.
Once the Council has made a decision, the same matter cannot usually be reconsidered for six months. It is therefore essential that members have all relevant information before them so that any decision is properly informed and made in the interests of the whole Hockley community.
Rochford District Council has a duty to prepare a Local Plan identifying planned growth for the district. There is no option for the district not to plan for housing growth. In the absence of an adopted Local Plan, planning applications will be assessed against the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, which is generally supportive of development. A Neighbourhood Plan would not prevent this. Hockley Parish Council was asked to consider preparing a Neighbourhood Plan; however, such a document must be in conformity with the District Council’s Local Plan. A Neighbourhood Plan cannot reduce housing numbers and, in many cases, cannot determine the location of development. The Parish Council’s decision regarding a Neighbourhood Plan is recorded in the minutes of 16 March 2026, items FC/075 and FC/076.
Once the Council has been informed by the District Council of the next stages, it will consider the options available. Any decisions will be made at a Full Council meeting. The next scheduled meeting dates are 2 November 2026 and 7 December 2026. These meetings include an item for public participation, and residents are welcome to attend and raise their views on items listed on the agenda.
