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Evidence base

We have undertaken research to inform the policy documents that make up the Local Plan. The research is called the 'Evidence Base' and comprises of reports and studies across the different topic areas listed below.

Evidence must be regularly reviewed and kept up to date to ensure we have an up to date understanding of the area and the issues that need addressing in the Local Plan.

We will update this page as and when new evidence is produced, or existing documents are revised.

Information setting out the documents relating to the Local Plan examination can be viewed in the Council's Archived Document Library.

Borough profile

Brentwood Borough Profile (February 2019)

Economy and employment

Economic Futures 2013-2033 (January 2018)

Heart of Essex Economic Futures (June 2012)

Employment Land Review (September 2010)

Environment

Air Quality Monitoring (July 2021)

Green Belt Study (November 2018)

Protected Lanes Assessment

Green Infrastructure Strategy (September 2015)

Habitats Regulations Assessment (January 2019)

Surface Water Management Plan for Brentwood Borough (January 2015)

Renewable Energy Study (April 2014)

Local Wildlife Site Review (December 2012)

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) (November 2018)

Sustainability Appraisal (January 2019)

Water Cycle Study (November 2018)

Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study (November 2018)

Mid Essex Landscape Character Assessment (September 2006)

Housing and demography

South Essex Housing Needs Assessment

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)

Greater Essex Demographic Forecasts 2012-2037

Heart of Essex Housing Growth Scenarios (June 2012)

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) (October 2017)

Leisure and recreation

Playing Pitch Strategy

Built Facilities Strategy (October 2018)

Golf Course Needs Assessment (October 2018)

Open Space, Sport and Leisure Needs Assessment (August 2016)

Hotel & Visitor Accomodation Futures Study (April 2008)

Retail and town centres

Brentwood Retail Study (September 2020)

Brentwood Town Centre Design Plan (November 2017)

The Council produced a Design Plan for Brentwood Town Centre in 2017. Work considered how the Town Centre functions from various aspects, including urban design, buildings, spaces, economic viability and movement. The Design Plan enables future development opportunities to collectively enhance Brentwood Town Centre rather than be considered in isolation.

The Design Plan can be viewed in sections below:

Retail and Commercial Leisure Study (December 2014)

Brentwood Town Centre Regeneration Strategy (May 2010)

Site assessment

NOTE: We are working on a partial review and update of the adopted Brentwood Local Plan. To help in this process we are carrying out a new 'call for sites'. The 'call for sites' is an opportunity for agents, landowners, developers and the public to submit land which they think may have potential for:

  • new homes (including for the settled, Gypsy and Traveller communities)
  • employment land
  • mitigation for habitat sites

To receive notification of when the 'call for sites' consultation opens, please please ensure you have created an account on our Local Plan consultation portal.

Site Analysis Overview (February 2019)

Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) (October 2018)

Site Assessment Methodology and Summary of Outcomes (January 2018)

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) (October 2011)

Viability

CIL Viability Assessment Update (August 2022)

Net Zero Carbon Viability and Toolkit Study (August 2022) - commissioned by Essex Climate Action Commission (ECAC)

Local Plan Viability Assessment (October 2018)