THE recently announced delay on a decision on the Lower Crossing is given as one of the reasons Thurrock Council has put back its much-delayed Local Plan.

A draft plan to replace a hugely outdated document was published late last year and residents took part in a major consultation exercise in the early months of 2024,

It was hoped that an agreed document, which is now more than eight years in the making, would be ready to become policy by June 2026.

What was proposed and consulted on.

The document is seen as integral to the borough's future as it would establish determined areas of local development, and would put a stop to developers 'ambushing' the council with ad-hoc proposals, many of which might be in the green belt.

However, at a meeting of the council's cabinet last night (Wednesday, 9 October) it was announced the deadline for adoption of the plan is now early 2028.

Cllr Lee Watson delivered the news last night.

All local planning authorities must prepare a Local Plan that sets out a planning framework for their area. It includes how much development should be permitted and how it should be distributed around the borough. By law, it must be used when deciding future planning applications.

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Tens of thousands of pounds have been spent on the current proposals (which can be viewed here), but it looks as if the exercise will have to be repeated again.

At last night's meeting Cllr Lee Watson, cabinet member for Good Growth, said: "It is vital that we get this right. The Local Plan sets out exactly how the borough will develop to make sure we are a place that families and communities can grow and flourish.

"It is disappointing that we are having to delay adoption, but in turn delays to a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing, and proposals for changes to the national planning rules and guidance have made it hard to create a Local Plan that we know we can deliver against.

"We owe it to residents to make sure our Local Plan is right for them and the borough, so the best option is to delay adoption, and take the time we need to deliver a plan that we know will be fit for the future."