Planning in Thurrock

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

1. Existing Facilities I. The Council will safeguard existing community facilities and will only allow their loss in circumstances where appropriate facilities of equal or better quality will be provided as part of the development. II. The Council and partners will promote higher levels of active participation of existing community facilities through campaign awareness, education and community engagement. 2. New or Improved Facilities I. The Council will support the provision of high quality, accessible community facilities to serve new and existing communities, regenerate areas and raise the profile of Thurrock as a destination for culture and the arts. II. The Council will encourage the development of multi-functional community facilities as an integral part of all major development in the Borough. 3. Key Projects I. The Council will work with relevant partners to deliver the following projects: i. Multi-functional Hub Community Centres at centres such as Chadwell St Mary and Purfleet. ii. The Royal Opera House Production Park, High House Farm, Purfleet. iii. National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills (Purfleet). iv. The modernisation of libraries and community centres. v. Facilities for performing and visual arts and museums. vi. Tourism, Festivals and Attractions to support Regeneration areas and town centres and other Thurrock assets including Coalhouse Fort, Tilbury Fort, Thames riverfront and the RSPB Nature Reserve. vii. Community facilities identified for Lakeside and set out in the relevant Development Plan Documents. viii. A strategic approach to the provision of new and enhanced places of worship within the Borough, in response to planned population growth and identified need. The identification of appropriate sites will be linked to regeneration areas and other broad locations, co-located with other facilities. 4. Funding and Developer Contributions Proposals for new development will be required to contribute towards the community needs generated by the development and address the identified deficiencies in the locality that they may generate or exacerbate.

HEALTH PROVISION

1. Health Care Provision The Council will work with partners to deliver: I. A healthy, strong and vibrant sustainable community by ensuring the delivery of health care infrastructure within Thurrock through a tiered model for health care provision. II. A significant reduction in health inequalities between different groups within the Borough, and between the Borough and the region, in line with national and regional NHS objectives. III. Health care facilities that are located according to need, and which are accessible to all people in the Borough, including by public transport, cycling or walking. IV. Health care facilities that meet existing and future community needs, including those needs arising from the new housing and employment that will be developed in the Borough over the lifetime of the plan. V. Improved access to General Practitioners within West Thurrock and Purfleet where an existing deficit has been identified. 2. Tier 3 – A Community Hospital – Offering High level Intermediate Services I. The Council supports the development of a New Generation Community Hospital (NGCH) in Hogg Lane, Grays with an anticipated built completion date of late 2013. This will be the highest tier health care facility in Thurrock, and will be supported by secondary and tertiary care facilities outside the Borough. II. The Council supports the provision of a wide range of health and social care services for local people through the NGCH. Services are anticipated to include a GP surgery, x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, a minor injuries unit, primary care assessment and outpatient facilities. 3. Tier 2 - Health Centres with Community and Extended Services I. The Council supports the development of Tier 2 health care infrastructure in Thurrock, with each facility providing a range of specialist health services for a population of approximately 30,000 people. They are anticipated to be delivered at the following locations: i. Purfleet – Over the next ten years the population of Purfleet is expected to increase due to proposed housing developments. An increase in health care services will be provided to meet increasing needs in Purfleet as the area is developed. The level of these facilities and timing of construction will depend on the phasing of the proposed development. ii. Grays Town Centre – New GP-led health care facilities at the Equitable Access Centre. This service will be available in 2010 and will lead to a requirement for four additional Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) GP's in 2010, and one further WTE GP by 2014. iii. Tilbury – Proposed new modern heath care facilities to address the deficit in provision in Tilbury following a strategic review and public engagement during 2009. It is anticipated that this will lead to a requirement for three additional WTE GP's by 2012. iv. The Council will work with health partners to plan for additional facilities in Thurrock Urban area if need is identified from any future assessments. 4. Tier 1 – Local Service Providers in fit for purpose premises offering a range of services The Council supports the provision of new and improved tier one services, particularly in areas where a deficiency is identified. There is currently a deficit in tier 1 services across the Borough that will be affected further by the increase in population and employment envisaged in the Regional Spatial Strategy.

EDUCATION AND LEARNING

1. General Approach In order to enhance educational achievement and skills in the Borough, the Council will work with the Department of Children Schools and Families (DCSF), the TTGDC, schools, learners, employers and other partners to ensure: I. The Council's objective and priority to maximise the benefit of investment in buildings, grounds and ICT, to achieve educational transformation. II. The provision of pre-school, primary school, high school, further education and special education facilities meets current and future needs: where appropriate different levels of education may be located together. III. The integration of schools into multi-functional hubs with linkages to key facilities such as sports and leisure facilities, health and social care. IV. Facilities in schools are fully integrated into community use where possible. V. Opportunities for learning and training facilities associated with new and existing businesses are realised (in particular, the Council will promote Enterprise and Learning Hubs, such as The Royal Opera House Production Campus and Skills Academy). VI. The co-ordination of new educational provision with new development. VII. The provision of high quality communications and transport infrastructure. VIII. ICT which maximises the benefits from its use for teaching and learning, and administration and communication, being available anytime anywhere for life-long learning, to engage parents and support integrated working to safeguard children. IX. Environmental, economic and social (educational and community) sustainability. X. That educational opportunities are accessible to all. 2. Post 16 Education The Council is working with partners to transform post-16 routes to achievement, increase choice and diversity for learners and parents, and improve educational services and facilities. The Council will pursue engagement between post-16 educational institutions and 14-19 partners. Where appropriate this will include the creation of Trusts and Academies. The Council will progress development schemes including: i. Thurrock Learning Campus, Grays - the plans for providing 21st Century facilities for further and higher education in Grays Town Centre are being progressed. A consortium including Thurrock Borough Council and four Higher Education Institutions will establish co-located higher education at the Thurrock Learning Campus; ii. Palmer's Sixth Form College, Grays; iii. Additional Sixth Form Provision - a sixth form presumption at Gable Hall School resulting from the awarding of High Performing Specialist School status, sixth forms are also being put in place at the Gateway Academy, Ormiston Park and Chafford Hundred; iv. The Royal Opera House together with the National Skills Academy for Creative Arts, Purfleet; v. The Logistics Academy at London Gateway, Stanford-le-hope / Corringham. 3. Secondary Education To meet the educational, training and community needs of young people and their families for the period of this plan, the Council is committed to replace and improve mainstream secondary school provision and will work with partners to identify and/or confirm sites of an appropriate size and location for schools as set out in the School Strategy 2020 Vision including: i. New build, refurbishment and expansion of existing mainstream secondary schools under the BSF programme and other capital investments. ii. Rebuild Belhus Chase School on its existing site as Ormiston Park Academy and safeguard adjoining land for long-term expansion. iii. The priority is to provide additional school places at existing schools in the major regeneration areas and where appropriate to relocate schools to linked facilities identified in the Plan. 4. Primary Education The Council has outlined a programme of refurbishment, expansion and new schools required to support long-term aims and growth in Regeneration Areas and other Broad Locations in the Plan; it includes: i. New additional primary schools in Purfleet and South Stifford; ii. Long term - a further new primary school in Grays; iii. Relocate and expand Chafford Hundred Primary School on adjoining land safeguarded for this use; iv. Lakeside (to be addressed in other Local Development Documents); v. Through its Primary Capital Programme (PCP) new build, refurbishment and expansion of up to forty three existing mainstream primary schools.

OPEN SPACE

I. The Council will seek to ensure that a diverse range of accessible public open spaces, including natural and equipped play and recreational spaces is provided and maintained to meet the needs of the local community. II. New provision will be encouraged particularly to address areas of deficiency as identified in the Open Space Strategy. Areas identified include: i. Purfleet; ii. West Thurrock/Lakeside Basin; iii. Chafford Hundred; iv. South Chafford; v. Grays; vi. Parts of South Ockendon and Aveley; vii. North Stifford; viii. Parts of Chadwell St Mary; ix. Parts of Tilbury; x. Parts of Stanford–le-Hope; and xi. Horndon-on-the-Hill. III. Proposals for new development must ensure the adequate provision of a range of accessible, high quality open space, including natural and semi-natural green space. Consideration must be given to the open space standards for open space provision within new developments set out in the Layout and Standards SPD and Appendix 5. IV. Wherever possible, open spaces should be identified, planned, designed and managed as areas that can perform multiple functions. Functions to be considered in the planning, design and management of open spaces include: i. strategic functions (buffering and linkages); ii. biodiversity; iii. climate change mitigation and adaptation; iv. historic interest; v. urban quality; vi. health and well-being; vii. sustainable transport and movement; viii. productivity of land (food production, allotments); ix. community use (places for congregating and events) and x. visual amenity. V. The Council will work towards the achievement of Green Flag status for Thurrock's public parks.

GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERS

1. The Council will support proposals that seek to ensure that the standard of the existing approved Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Borough is progressively improved and upgraded. 2. The Council will seek to make provision for a total of 87 additional pitches (see i to iii below) in accordance with RSS Policy H3, for the period 2006-2021, subject to credible evidence of actual need for any further pitch provision demonstrated over the period to 2021 through the GTAA review. i. The Council will review the existing unauthorised "tolerated" Gypsy and Traveller sites through the Site Specific Allocations DPD and where appropriate regularise their status at existing pitch levels or with appropriate extensions to the site, if satisfied that they meet the provisions of this policy and if required at the time. ii. The Council will provide an additional five pitches at the Pilgrims Lane site. iii. Subsequently the Council will make additional pitch allocations through extensions of the other existing sites, authorised and regulated, and through allocation of new sites if proven to be necessary and appropriate. 3. The Council will refresh its own GTAA to assess the evidence of actual need over the Plan period from 2021 to 2026/7 and shall identify further pitch provision to meet any such need through the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD or a revision thereto. 4. The Council will continue to engage with local gypsies and travellers through the work of the dedicated Gypsy liaison and planning officers. 5. In relation to the identified need beyond 2021, the Council will continue to work with our partners in the region to develop a fair and equitable distribution of provision. 6. Proposals for new or extensions to existing Gypsy and Traveller Sites will be considered by reference to the following criteria: (i) The Council is satisfied that there is a clearly established need for the site and the number of pitches involved cannot be met by an existing site; (ii) The site is accessible by foot, cycle and/or public transport to local services and facilities, such as shops, primary and secondary schools, healthcare and other community facilities; (iii) The site proposal will not unacceptably impact upon the safety and amenity of the occupants and neighbouring uses; (iv) The site proposal will not unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the area and will not result in an unacceptable visual impact; (v) The proposed accommodation on the site or site extension will not normally comprise more than 5 individual pitches. This threshold may be exceeded where the site location and topography allows always subject to the availability of credible evidence of actual need; (vi) The site will have safe and convenient access to the road network and would not cause a significant hazard to other road users; (vii) The site will make provision for parking, turning, service and emergency vehicles; (viii) The site will be supplied with essential services such as water, power, sewerage and drainage, and waste disposal; (ix) Proposals incorporate a landscape strategy where appropriate; (x) The vulnerability of the proposed site to flood risk.

NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL

1. The Council and Partners seeks to ensure that no one in the Borough should be disadvantaged by where they live, particularly in relation to health, education, local services, job opportunities and good housing. The Council will work with all relevant agencies in the delivery of regeneration in the Borough to achieve sustainable, mixed and balanced communities. The following neighbourhoods been have identified as priority regeneration areas by the Thurrock Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy: Purfleet; Grays Riverside and Grays Central; Tilbury and Chadwell St. Mary; South Ockendon (including Belhus). 2. All developments in the regeneration areas will be required to support and assist: i. The creation of a more balanced housing stock through the development of high quality new dwellings that offer a better choice of housing types and tenures based on specific needs of the area. ii. The retention and improvement of social and private sector housing to meet decent homes standards and resident aspirations. iii. The improvement of the external environment through the provision of: (i) Community facilities and infrastructure including health and education facilities. (ii) Public open space and recreation facilities and enhancement of existing open spaces to create a green corridor network integrated throughout the area. iv. The enhancement of the area's economic viability by promoting the creation of business space for new start-up and local businesses. v. The promotion of high quality architecture, public realm and environmental design throughout the development. vi. High standards of sustainable construction and design, energy and water efficiency and flood risk management that contribute to meeting the climate change challenges locally. vii. The development of capacity within communities to create cohesive, engaged and empowered communities. viii. The Borough-wide approach to neighbourhood management.

WELL-BEING: LEISURE AND SPORTS

The Council and Partners will support the delivery of a physically active, socially inclusive and healthy community through the provision of high quality sports and leisure facilities and appropriate spaces for those that live, work, and visit the borough. To achieve this, the Council and Partners will: 1. New and Existing Facilities I. Safeguard existing and future provision of leisure, sports and open space facilities. The Council will only allow the loss of a particular facility where appropriate alternative provision can be made elsewhere. II. Support the provision of new or improved leisure and sports facilities to address deficiencies identified in the Thurrock Outdoor Sports Strategy, Sports and Active Recreation Strategy and the Community Needs and Open Spaces Study. III. Promote smaller-scale sports and leisure facilities in town centres, local centres and Lakeside Regional centre. IV. Ensure that new or improved facilities are in locations that are accessible to the local community and create or improve links to Thurrock's network of green and historic infrastructure, including the Thames riverside. V. Provide facilities for schools and other institutions which can be linked and shared with the community. VI. Where appropriate, encouraging development proposals that seek to support the development of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and legacy. VII. Ensure that the potential health impacts of development are identified and addressed at an early stage in the planning process. 2. Key Sites I. The Council will work with relevant partners to progress the development of key flagship leisure and sports facilities at key locations to promote regeneration. The identified flagship sites include: i. Sports and Well-Being Hubs (initially at Belhus, followed by facilities at Blackshots-North Grays) ii. Leisure and sports facilities for Lakeside will be identified and set out in the relevant Development Plan Documents. II. The Council will review the potential for enhanced leisure facilities at Grays river front. III. A Supplementary Planning Document will be prepared at a future date to consider the issues of health and wellbeing with regard to Chadwell St. Mary and Tilbury. 3. Developer Contributions Proposals for new development will be required to contribute towards the leisure and sports needs generated by the development and address any deficiencies in the locality that they may generate or exacerbate.

OPEN SPACES, OUTDOOR SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

EXISTING FACILITIES 1. The Council will safeguard all existing open spaces, outdoor sports and recreational facilities. Development proposals that would result in their complete or partial loss or cause or worsen a deficiency in the area served by the space or facility will not be permitted unless: i. conveniently located and accessible alternative facilities of an equivalent or improved standard will be provided to serve current and potential new users; or improvements to remaining spaces or facilities can be provided to a level sufficient to outweigh the loss; ii. proposals would not negatively affect the character of the area and/or the Greengrid. Any alternative and improved facilities should be available for use before an existing open space or facility is lost. 2. The Council may also allow: i. a partial loss of an open space or outdoor sports pitch site, where that partial loss would be due to the development of facilities ancillary to the use of that space or site (e.g. changing rooms) and would not result in a loss in the quality or number of pitches provided and their use; or ii. the redevelopment of an existing open space, outdoor sports or recreational facility where redevelopment would incorporate a type of open space, outdoor sports, or recreational facility for which there is greater need. NEW DEVELOPMENT 3. Proposed development must ensure that: i. New open spaces, outdoor sports and recreational facilities are provided in accordance with adopted standards to meet the needs of the development and to address deficiencies. ii. New facilities are fully integrated into the design of development schemes as an element of place making. iii. Facilities are safe and easily accessible to all. Where the Council considers that provision on-site is not feasible or appropriate, it will require developer contributions to improve existing, or provide new, spaces or facilities elsewhere. STANDARDS 4. The standards for the quantity and quality of open spaces, sports and recreational facilities and accessibility to them that the Council will require to be met are set out in the Layout and Standards SPD (Appendix 5 provides current standards). Consideration should also be given to the Design and Sustainability SPD and the Developer Contributions SPD, which provide related information. 5. In addition, the Council has the following specific requirements: I. Children's Play Space: i. Residential development resulting in a net increase in dwellings of two or more bedrooms will be required to contribute to the provision of Children's Play Space. ii. Local Areas for Play (LAP's) should be provided on-site, unless this is proven to be impracticable given site constraints. iii. LAP's should be located in a position close to the homes of residents, where they will be safe and secure, as these play spaces are for very young children. iv. Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP's) and Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play (NEAP) may be located on-site or off-site, depending on local requirements. Where provision will be off-site, developer contributions will be required. II. Outdoor Sport Facilities (including playing pitches, courts and greens): i. New developments will be required to contribute to the provision of appropriate outdoor sports facilities. ii. All sports and recreational facilities are required to incorporate appropriate ancillary facilities, such as changing rooms and parking to ensure access for the whole community. III. Allotments: i. The redevelopment of existing allotment sites for other uses will only be permitted where it can clearly be shown that the facility is no longer required or that it can be adequately and conveniently replaced elsewhere without a loss of biodiversity value. IV. Exemptions: i. Sheltered dwellings, nursing and residential homes, residential extensions and annexes, and temporary dwellings will not be required to provide or contribute towards Children's Play Space, Outdoor Sports Facilities or Allotments. ii. Redevelopment schemes where there is no net gain in the number of bed spaces will also be exempt from the provisions of 5(I), 5(II) and 5(III) above.

THURROCK DESIGN

The Council will promote high quality design in Thurrock and will progress opportunities to improve the quality of the environment throughout the Borough and particularly in the Regeneration Areas and Key Strategic Employment Hubs. I. Development proposals must demonstrate high quality design founded on a thorough understanding of, and positive response to, the local context. II. The Council will promote a robust design process with the use of skilled designers so that proposals achieve the best balance of physical, social, economic and environmental outcomes. III. In particular, the Council requires developers to demonstrate that their proposals are designed to respect the distinct positive characteristics of areas within Thurrock, whether urban or rural, and create a sense of place within their schemes. IV. Development must provide a high standard of inclusive design so that it is accessible to all users. V. Development must be safe and secure in its design and contribute to community safety. VI. The Council will encourage distinctive new designs of high architectural quality in appropriate locations. VII. Development must embrace the use of high quality design including sustainable, renewable resources of energy and low-emissions technology, and enhance Green Infrastructure. VIII. The Council will require that developments address the particular sensitivities and capacity of the places within which they occur, including how adverse impacts are mitigated.

THURROCK CHARACTER AND DISTINCTIVENESS

The Council will protect, manage and enhance the character of Thurrock to ensure improved quality and strengthened sense of place. I. The Council identifies the following key areas where character is a key issue: i. Regeneration Areas ii. Lakeside Basin iii. Strategic Employment Hubs iv. High volume transport networks v. Urban Fringe vi. Town/Village centres vii. Historically Sensitive Areas viii. Strategic Natural and Semi-Natural Spaces ix. Strategic Multifunctional Green Space x. Rural landscapes xi. Green Belt xii. Wooded Hills xiii. Residential Precincts comprising distinctly spacious residential areas and the intensively developed Homesteads ward xiv. Small scale sites where development may contribute to cumulative degradation. II. The Council requires the retention and enhancement of significant natural, historic and built features which contribute to the character of the Borough as defined by their value, quality, cultural association and meaning or their relationship to the setting and local context. III. The Council requires the retention and enhancement of strategic and local views, which contribute to a distinctive sense of place. Where development will affect these views, their sensitivity and capacity for change must be adequately assessed and the effect of the development on them appropriately tested. In order to assess the sensitivity and capacity for change of Thurrock's character, the Council will require an assessment based on The Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, or other methodology supported by the Council.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

1. The Council requires all design proposals to respond to the sensitivity of the site and its surroundings, to optimize the potential of the site to accommodate development, to fully investigate the magnitude of change that would result from the proposals, and mitigate against negative impacts. All development proposals must satisfy the following criteria: i. Character – Development must contribute positively to the character of the area in which it is proposed, and to surrounding areas that may be affected by it. It should seek to contribute positively to local views, townscape, heritage assets and natural features, and contribute to the creation of a positive sense of place. ii. Continuity – Development proposals must promote continuity of street frontages and provide active ground floor frontages as far as reasonably possible. iii. Public Realm – New development should contribute to improvements in the public realm by contributing sensitive planting, street furniture, appropriate lighting and public art where appropriate. The quality of the design and detailing of all development, including interfacing elements such as facades, steps and walls should be robust, engaging and contribute positively to the public realm. iv. Public and Private Amenity space – Development proposals must provide adequate public and private amenity space in accordance with Thurrock's relevant adopted standards, particularly in areas with identified deficiencies. It should be attractive, safe, uncluttered, readily accessible and should promote play. v. Accessibility – Development proposals must allow easy and safe access for all members of the community. Development must also integrate land uses and all modes of transport but pedestrians and cyclists must be given priority over traffic in scheme design. vi. Permeability and Legibility – Development should promote connections between places that people wish to use, including public transport links, community facilities and the Greengrid. Development should be designed to help people find their way and must be legible for all members of the community, providing recognisable routes using landmarks and signage where appropriate. vii. Safety and Security – Development proposals must create safe and secure environments and reduce the scope for crime and fear of crime. Where appropriate, proposals should adopt the principles of Designing Out Crime set out in the Police Service's publication 'Secured by Design'. viii. Landscape – Features contributing to the natural landscape in the Borough, such as woods, hedges, specimen trees, unimproved grassland, ponds and marshes, will be protected and where appropriate enhanced to maintain their landscape and wildlife value. Provision and enhancement of landscape features will also be required to contribute to multiple uses and/or eco-system services, including amenity, recreation, flood alleviation and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. ix. Diversity – Development proposals must promote variety and choice through a mix of mutually compatible developments and uses. x. Utilities – Development proposals must accommodate public services and utilities without compromising design and layout. This includes providing suitable access to maintenance, waste and emergency service vehicles. xi. Energy and Resource use – Development should be designed to minimise energy and resource use. This includes integrating sustainable construction techniques, siting and orientation of buildings to maximise energy and water efficiency. xii. Layout – The layout of all development should optimise the assets of the site, while conforming to the appropriate standards for layout, design and access set out in the Layout and Standards SPD. 2. In the interests of encouraging good design the Council will require residential developers to carry out robust assessments of their proposals using the Building for Life 12 questions, where the questions are relevant to the development being proposed, and submit such assessments in support of planning applications. The Council will use these questions as the basis for discussions with intending developers both before and after submission of planning applications. The objective will be to arrive at a mutually agreed assessment of proposals prior to a decision being made where there are no 'red' outcomes and where the only 'amber' outcomes are those where the characteristics of the site and its circumstances are such as to make 'green' outcomes unachievable. 3. The Council will encourage pre-application discussions and design review of development proposals by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and/or other relevant bodies, and in relation to proposals having a wider impact, will wish to see that developers have worked closely with local communities to arrive at proposals that take account of their views. 4. Where the Council has produced a design brief for a site or sites, developers will be obliged to meet its detailed requirements.

TALL BUILDINGS

1. The Council defines tall buildings as: i. Buildings of more than six storeys or a height of two storeys above the prevalent form of development, whichever is the lesser, within an established primarily residential area; or ii. Buildings of more than six storeys in other locations including recently developed, predominantly residential neighbourhoods. 2. Thurrock will assess applications for tall buildings against the Criteria for Evaluation set out in Section 4 of the CABE/English Heritage publication 'Guidance on Tall Buildings' (2007). The Council will only support those applications, which respond positively to all the relevant criteria. The relevant criteria in Thurrock are: i. The relationship to context ii. The effect on historic assets iii. The relationship to transport infrastructure iv. The architectural quality of the proposal v. The sustainable design and construction of the proposal vi. The credibility of the design, both technically and financially vii. The contribution to public space and facilities viii. The effect on the local environment ix. The contribution made to permeability x. The provision of a well designed environment 3. Applicants must demonstrate that they have considered this guidance in detail and have used it as a basis to develop their scheme design. 4. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposals are also in accordance with other policies in this plan, including PMD2 - Design and Layout, and the Design and Sustainability SPD, when published. 5. Applications will only be granted in locations identified in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. 6. Proposals for tall buildings in Thurrock will only be considered acceptable, outside of the locations (included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and shown on the Proposals Map), in exceptional circumstances. Such exceptional circumstances will arise only when an applicant can demonstrate that a tall building will act as a catalyst for long term regeneration, with significant social, economic and environmental benefits for the local community, while also meeting the requirements of the criteria above and other relevant policies. 7. Applications for outline permission for tall buildings should not be submitted; detailed applications will be required. 8. Tall structures that cannot be occupied (such as silos, telecommunication masts, wind turbines, and chimneys) are not considered tall buildings by the Council and will be dealt with on their own merits, taking into account other relevant policies in the plan and as many of the CABE/English Heritage Criteria for

SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

1. The Council will promote and support economic development in the Key Strategic Economic Hubs that seeks to expand upon their existing core sectors and/or provide opportunities in the growth sectors. I. The Key Strategic Economic Hubs will deliver the East of England Plan's indicative target of 26,000 new jobs for Thurrock over the period 2001-2026 and beyond. II. The Key Strategic Economic Hubs and other sites will supply approximately 456 Ha (gross) of employment land, including circa 245 Ha at the London Gateway development. There is sufficient previously developed land in the Key Strategic Economic Hubs to accommodate the proposed jobs numbers with the exception of the Green Belt release North of Tilbury to provide expansion land for port related development. The final site boundaries will be included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. III. The Council will direct inward investment to the Key Strategic Economic Hubs. IV. The Council will promote Flagship Developments that will generate and provide a catalyst for securing high quality jobs in the Key Strategic Economic Hubs.

STRATEGIC EMPLOYMENT PROVISION

1. Key Strategic Economic Hubs I. The Council will actively seek to maintain high and stable levels of economic and employment growth by creating a network of high quality, mutually reinforcing Key Strategic Economic Hubs, identified in Policy CSSP2. The Key Strategic Economic Hubs will provide 445 hectares of the Industrial and Commercial and Mixed-Use Land between 2009 and 2026. This provision is included in 2 and 3 below. 2. Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial Areas I. The Council will safeguard existing Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial land and premises in, or last used for employment purposes, where it is required to maintain a sufficient supply of employment land in the Plan period. The Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD will include policies and identify existing Industrial and Commercial land that will be protected for employment purposes, as well as existing employment land to be allocated to other uses. These areas and sites will be shown on the Proposals Map. II. The proposed new Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial sites (identified in the Site Allocations and Policies DPD and Proposals Map) will provide approximately 372 hectares of net employment land across the Borough between 2009 and 2026. III. The Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial areas will be reserved for employment generating uses falling within Class B1, B2, and B8 and sui generis uses. The Council will consider economic development that includes non-B Class uses within the Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial areas provided that it meets the following: (i) The non-B Class Use provides a complementary and supporting use for the existing Class B uses; or (ii) The non-B Class Use is necessary for the day-to-day service requirements of the existing Class B uses; or (iii) There is a demonstrable need for the non-B Class Use within the Borough and there are no other reasonable alternative sites within the Borough; and (iv) The introduction of the non-B Class Use will not compromise the supply of Class B land within the Borough and will not adversely affect Thurrock's existing and future economic structure; IV. Non-B Class uses will not be supported within the Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial areas where they materially change the Class B character of the Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial areas. V. Where proposals for new economic development are proposed outside the Primary and Secondary Industrial and Commercial areas, the Council will make an assessment against the following criteria: (i) Compatibility with uses in the area surrounding the proposal and potential impacts on those uses. (ii) Capacity and impact on the road network and access by sustainable modes of transport. 3. Mixed-Use Employment Locations The Council will encourage development that maximises the employment contribution from mixed-use development sites. In total, the Council has designated 75.4 hectares of land throughout the Borough for

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

1. Adaptation I. The Council will require climate change adaptation measures and technology to be considered from the outset in any development proposal including reduction of emissions, renewable and low carbon technologies, passive design, recycling and waste minimisation, and through the application of green infrastructure techniques. II. The Council will work to ensure that vulnerability to climate change impacts is minimised in new development, and that such development does not increase vulnerability to climate change impacts. III. The location and layout of new buildings should minimise vulnerability to climate change. IV. Developers must consider the potential effects of climate change on their development, including: i. Water conservation and drainage ii. Need for summer cooling iii. Risk of subsidence iv. Flood risk from tidal, fluvial and surface water 2. Mitigation I. The Council will require new and existing development and associated activities to adhere to local, regional and national targets for reducing carbon emissions. II. The Council will seek the achievement and maintenance of the following minimum reductions in CO2 emissions compared to emissions in 2005:- Sector By 2015 By 2020 Domestic: CO2 per household 4.0% 5.8% Road Transport: CO2 per AADT* 6.0% 6.5% Business: CO2 per job 9.0% 11.3% *Annual Average Daily Traffic III. The Council will employ innovative methods of reducing and mitigating emissions, including the introduction of a Carbon Offset Fund.

RENEWABLE OR LOW-CARBON ENERGY GENERATION

As part of the shift to low-carbon future and to tackle climate change, the Council will encourage opportunities to generate energy from non-fossil fuel and low-carbon sources. I. The Council will promote and facilitate proposals for centralised renewable or low-carbon energy schemes at appropriate locations and standards, including but not exclusively at Tilbury and London Gateway. II. The Council will promote the delivery of renewable and low-carbon energy developments utilising technology such as solar panels, biomass heating, small-scale wind turbine, photovoltaic cells, Combined Heat and Power and other methods. III. The Council will promote the delivery of district energy networks in appropriate locations, in order to increase the proportion of energy delivered from renewable and low-carbon sources in the Borough. IV. The Council will ensure that effort is made to achieve a significant carbon reduction in all new development, at least matching the national targets. The Council will view an application as unacceptable where it produces a significant adverse impact that cannot be mitigated, including cumulative landscape or visual impacts.

SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

In determining planning applications for new development, the following criteria must be met: 1. Residential Proposals for new or conversion to residential development must achieve a "Code for Sustainable Homes" level 4 rating, except in respect of any of the Code's requirements that have been officially superseded by mandatory national standards. In meeting the above requirement the Council will require the following credits to be achieved as a minimum in the respective design categories: i. External Water Consumption: 1 credit ii. Management of surface water run-off from developments: 2 credits iii. Ecology: 4 credits 2. Non-residential (including Expansions or Extensions) over 1000m2 Proposals for non-residential development must achieve, as a minimum, the following BREEAM standards (or equivalent), where appropriate: • BREEAM Very Good up to 2016; • BREEAM Excellent from 2016; • BREEAM Outstanding from 2019 (in addition to national standards for zero carbon). These requirements may be relaxed where the developer is able to prove that these requirements will be economically unviable, rendering development of the site undeliverable. 3. Proposals for development will be required to submit an Energy and Water Statement in support of planning applications. The statements will be expected to show how the proposed development would: i. Minimise water consumption; ii. Minimise energy consumption; iii. Maximise water efficiency and water recycling iv. Maximise the use of recycled materials and sustainably sourced materials; and v. Minimise waste and maximise recycling during construction and after completion.

DECENTRALISED, RENEWABLE AND LOW-CARBON ENERGY GENERATION

1. New development of 5 or more residential dwellings, or 1,000 sq metres or more of non-residential floorspace, must secure, as a minimum, the following proportions of their predicted energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources, unless it can be demonstrated to the Council's satisfaction, by way of a full viability assessment, that this is not feasible or viable: • 10% from 2010; • 15% from 2015; and • 20% from 2020. 2. Priority Locations Within the Priority Locations, the Council will: I. Require all opportunities for establishing district energy networks to be taken up, where they would provide higher proportions of renewable or low carbon energy to be delivered than in (1) above. II. Require other developments considered suitable for connection to existing or feasible district energy networks to be designed to enable connection to such networks. Where developers consider their proposals unable to feasibly or viably deliver, or connect to, district energy networks this will need to be demonstrated by way of technical appraisal and open book economic viability assessment. The Council will not permit developments that would prejudice the provision of such networks. 3. Identification of Priority Locations I. The priority locations are those which meet any, or any combination, of the following conditions: • residential developments of 100 dwellings or more; • residential developments on sites larger than 2 ha; • non-residential developments with a total floorspace exceeding 10,000 sq metres. II. Smaller sites in close proximity to an existing or proposed district energy network are considered priority locations if they meet any of the following conditions: • sites smaller than 20 dwellings within 50 metres of an existing or proposed district energy network, • 20-30 dwellings within 100 metres of an existing or proposed district energy network, • 31-40 dwellings within 150 metres of an existing or proposed district energy network, • Sites larger than 40 dwellings within 200 metres of an existing or proposed district energy network • All commercial and other non-domestic developments within 200 metres of an existing or proposed district energy network. III. Priority Locations will be included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. Sites which are not identified as Priority Locations at adoption of the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD, but which are demonstrated subsequently to meet the conditions to provide district energy networks, will be subject to the requirements of this policy. 4. The Developer Contributions SPD and/or CIL Charging Schedule will set out requirements for development to contribute to securing decentralised energy systems.

CARBON NEUTRAL DEVELOPMENT

The Council will require developers to demonstrate that all viable energy efficiency measures and renewable or low-carbon technology opportunities have been utilised to minimise emissions, in accordance with PMD12 and PMD 13. Thereafter: i. Any development (whether new build, conversion or renovation) that would lead to a net increase in carbon dioxide emissions, over and above existing emissions for the development site, will be required to make contributions to the Thurrock Carbon Offset Fund. The net greenhouse gas emissions from the new development will be measured as tonnes per year. Financial contributions to the Thurrock Carbon Offset Fund will be based on the methodology set out in the forthcoming Developer Contributions SPD and the Design and Sustainability SPD.

Green Belt

1. The Council will: I. Maintain the permanence of the boundaries of the Green Belt, excepting the proposed Urban Extension Broad Locations Identified in this policy, Policy CSSP 1 and as shown on the Proposals Map. II. Resist development where there would be any danger of coalescence. III. Maximise opportunities for increased public access, leisure and biodiversity. IV. The formal Review of the Thurrock Core Strategy DPD that the Council will commence in 2011 In accordance with the requirements of the proposed Localism Act and the proposed National Planning Policy Framework. 2. Locating sustainable development at Broad Locations adjoining the Thurrock Urban Area and Outlying Settlements. The Council will direct development to the following Urban Extension Broad Locations subject to the provisions of policies CSSP1, CSSP2, CSSP3, CSTP1 and the provisions set out below: I. Opportunities for Leisure and Sport in the Green Belt i. The Council's policy is that the constructive and positive use of the Green Belt for sports and leisure purposes is an essential component of the Thurrock Spatial Strategy that will underpin the sustainable development and regeneration of Thurrock to the long-term benefit of local people. ii. The Council will actively encourage the pursuit of leisure and sports activities appropriate to the Green Belt by improving connectivity between Thurrock's Urban Areas and the Green Belt to promote this asset for the enjoyment and well being of Thurrock's communities. iii. In particular, the Council will support the development of Sports Hubs in Green Belt land at North East Grays and at Belhus (shown on the Key Diagram and included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map). II. Opportunities for Economic Development Broad Location: Tilbury Marshes i. The Council will support the principle of release of Green Belt land (26 Ha.) to the North of Tilbury for port-related employment use and a Strategic Lorry Park to facilitate expansion of Tilbury Port. The Council will require management arrangements to be put in place for the remainder of the Tilbury Marshes site that has important biodiversity interest and required mitigation measures to be implemented to replace lost habitat and flood storage areas. The final site boundaries will be included in the Adopted Sites Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. III. Opportunities for improving for Educational provision i. Belhus School Site The Council supports the potential relocation of the school for the Ormiston Trust Academy within the Belhus School Site. ii. Broad Location: North-East Grays – Relocation of the Secondary School and College within the Green Belt The Council will support the relocation of a school currently located within the Green Belt at the North Grays Broad Location as complementary development to the proposed new Sports Hub and the relocation of a college to Grays Learning Campus town centre site. The final site boundaries will be included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. The vacated sites will be available for housing development (See 3.I.i below) iii. Broad Location: NE Stanford-le-hope/Corringham The Council will release land within the Green Belt if required to the NE of Stanford-le-hope / Corringham to provide for a new replacement secondary school (see Key Diagram). The vacated school site (currently "white land" in the Local Plan) would then be available for housing development. 3. Housing Land Supply to 2021 I. The following Broad Locations have been identified as Green Belt releases to contribute to the housing supply to 2021: (i) North East Grays – 461 (Identified potential capacity from school and college site, see 2 III.iii above) The final site boundaries will be included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. (ii) Stanford-le-hope – 328 (provided no dwellings, including its curtilage, is located on areas modelled to be Flood Zone 3b, including an appropriate allowance for climate change). The final site boundaries will be included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. The Council considers that this relatively small-scale housing allocation on sites within the Green Belt is required to ensure a robust and deliverable policy whilst entirely reasonable and proportional to the Thurrock context. II. This policy approach will be reviewed with regard to the final outcome of the East of England Plan Review 2011 or successor document the evolving new Local Plans system and the proposed National Planning Policy Framework. 4. Enhancing the Green Belt I. Sustainable Boundaries The Council will seek to reinforce the Green Belt boundary through structural enhancement of the local landscape features. The Council will secure structural landscape enhancements in accordance with Landscape Character Assessments and they will be delivered by developers as part of an overall contribution package linked to development schemes. II. Public access, open space and biodiversity The implementation of the Greengrid Strategy will form a critical component of the overall Green Belt strategy to retain open character, enhance public access and secure biodiversity within Green Belt. III. Sustainable Design and Construction Developers proposing schemes within the Green Belt will have to fully comply with the relevant Thematic and Development Management policies in this plan. 5. Green Belt Alterations to Proposals Map I. Land excluded from the Green Belt because planning permission has been granted for housing at Batafield, East Tilbury and land south of Aveley By-pass and employment land at Ponds Farm, Purfleet. II. The Council proposes to include 55.3 hectares of previously safeguarded land adjacent to the former Shell Haven refinery site that was identified as oil refinery expansion land. With the cessation of the refinery use at Shell Haven and recent decision of the Secretary of State to exclude the land for development purposes from the London Gateway scheme, the land will assist in the purposes of the Green Belt in maintaining a strategic gap between the residential settlements of Stanford le hope and Corringham and the port at London Gateway. III. The Council proposes 1.6 hectares of land is excluded from the Green Belt that has planning permission for housing development and is part of the major development site at Orsett and is incorrectly shown in the Local Plan as Green Belt.

Sustainable Greengrid

1. Deliver the Greengrid Strategy as part of the Thurrock Core Strategy Infrastructure Prioritisation and Implementation Plan and the Adopted Statutory Development Plan I. Ensure that all development pr

SUSTAINABLE GREEN BELT

1. Balancing competing demands on the Thurrock Green Belt The Council's policy is to maintain the purpose, function and open character of the Green Belt in Thurrock in accordance with the provisions of PPG2 for the plan period. The Council will: I. Maintain the permanence of the boundaries of the Green Belt, excepting the proposed Urban Extension Broad Locations Identified in this policy, Policy CSSP 1 and as shown on the Proposals Map. II. Resist development where there would be any danger of coalescence. III. Maximise opportunities for increased public access, leisure and biodiversity. All without prejudice to and pending: IV. The formal Review of the Thurrock Core Strategy DPD that the Council will commence in 2011 In accordance with the requirements of the proposed Localism Act and the proposed National Planning Policy Framework. 2. Locating sustainable development at Broad Locations adjoining the Thurrock Urban Area and Outlying Settlements. The Council will direct development to the following Urban Extension Broad Locations subject to the provisions of policies CSSP1, CSSP2, CSSP3, CSTP1 and the provisions set out below: I. Opportunities for Leisure and Sport in the Green Belt i. The Council's policy is that the constructive and positive use of the Green Belt for sports and leisure purposes is an essential component of the Thurrock Spatial Strategy that will underpin the sustainable development and regeneration of Thurrock to the long-term benefit of local people. ii. The Council will actively encourage [text cut off in passage]

SUSTAINABLE GREENGRID

It is the policy of the Council and its Partners to: 1. Deliver the Greengrid Strategy as part of the Thurrock Core Strategy Infrastructure Prioritisation and Implementation Plan and the Adopted Statutory Development Plan I. Ensure that all development proposals take account of the objectives of the Greengrid network and where appropriate contribute to the management and enhancement of the Greengrid. II. Deliver the area based Greengrid Improvement Zones to ensure that the location, planning, design and ongoing management of sites is appropriate, and that opportunities are sought to make best use of land and green infrastructure assets in delivering ecosystem services. III. Set out guidance for the delivery of Thurrock Greengrid in the Thurrock Greengrid Supplementary Planning Document. IV. Ensure the Thurrock Greengrid is delivered by Developer Contributions as necessary. V. Provide opportunities for skills development, education and public awareness-raising on the value and importance of the Greengrid. 2. The Greengrid will be delivered at a spatial level through a series of 8 Greengrid Improvement Zones. The Improvement Zones are listed below: i. Aveley and South Ockendon (Including Thames Chase) ii. Mardyke Valley iii. West Thurrock/Lakeside/Chafford iv. Purfleet v. North Grays & Chadwell St Mary vi. Grays Riverside/ Tilbury vii. East Thurrock / Rural Riverside viii. Stanford-le-hope/ Corringham/ Horndon/ Langdon Hills Across the borough, considerations will include: Semi-natural green space Multifunctional greenspace Promotion and safeguarding of biodiversity and geodiversity Urban and rural trees and woodlands Historic Environment and Heritage assets Ecosystem services opportunities Strategic links and bridging points Flood Risk and water management Mitigation of and adaptation to effects of climate change through the use of natural systems and green infrastructure assets Strategic views Broad landscape management areas 3. Develop and protect Local Scale Assets The Council will promote and protect Local-scale assets including any Local Green Spaces identified in local plans or neighbourhood plans that contribute to Thurrock's sustainable Greengrid including: i. Doorstep sites, play areas, amenity open spaces and allotments, which are often local sites within urban areas and villages and the first link to the wider setting; ii. Local green links, which provide vital routes for people to access local sites and the wider Rights of Way and Safe Routes to School network; iii. Registered commons and villages and town greens; iv. Biodiversity interests and local nature reserves, such as Linford Wood and Grove House Wood; v. Local productive land, including local allotments, community gardens and commercial small-holdings involved in supplying local food or craft resources. Development within Local Green Spaces will not be permitted unless there are very special circumstances. The Council envisages these circumstances will include where such development would support the functional value of such spaces without detracting from the visual qualities which the community may value. 4. In addition to the above actions, specifically support the objectives of the Greater Thames Marshes Nature Improvement Area by taking account of any core areas and buffer zones, corridors and stepping stones, restoration areas, and locations for priority action which may in due course be identified by the project plans of the Nature Improvement Area Partnership. 5. Promote productive land and natural system opportunities The Council and Partners will promote productive land and natural systems opportunities (soils, bio and geo diversity), including: i. current allotments ii. agricultural/rural lands iii. the potential for biomass cropping in the northeast of Thurrock iv. potential co-firing using biomass fuels in the Tilbury area v. the potential use of the Thames Chase Community Forest area for sustainable management of wood fuel.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Green Infrastructure Network I. The Council, with its partners, will restore, protect, enhance and where appropriate create its green assets. The Green Infrastructure seeks to address the connectivity between urban and rural areas in the Borough and ensure that such green assets are multi-functional in use. Green assets can be those in public or private ownership and can be legally protected or covered by non-statutory designations. 2. A net gain and New Development I. The Council will require a net gain in Green Infrastructure. This will contribute to addressing the existing and developing deficiencies, ensuring connectivity and relieving pressure on designated biodiversity sites such as SSSI's. II. Alongside the requirements for biodiversity set out in Policy CSTP19, development must contribute to the delivery of Green Infrastructure, including the acquisition, planning, design and ongoing management consistent with the emerging Greengrid SPD. A key element of this will be connectivity and the integrity of the network; sites should not be considered in isolation. III. Opportunities to increase Green Infrastructure will be pursued in new developments through the incorporation of features such as green roofs, green walls and other habitat/wildlife creation and also innovative technology. IV. Green Infrastructure assets will be identified, enhanced and safeguarded through: i. Not permitting development that compromises the integrity of green and historic assets and that of the overall Green Infrastructure network; ii. Using developer contributions to facilitate improvements to the quality, use and provision of multi-functional green assets and green linkages; and iii. Investment from external funding sources. 3. Deficits Where there is an identified deficit the Council will require the creation of green assets including parks and gardens; natural and semi-natural spaces; amenity greens; children's play space; and outdoor sports facilities. Developments in areas of deficiency should provide for the supply and ongoing management of new areas of high quality natural and semi-natural space to address the new demand for green infrastructure. The guidance for provision of Green Infrastructure will be identified in the Greengrid SPD. 4. Programmes I. The Council will work with partners to develop and implement Green Infrastructure through an area-based Greengrid Improvement Zones at a local level as necessary in order to deliver the green infrastructure in accordance with the overarching objectives of the Greengrid Strategy. II. The Council will lead in Green Infrastructure management through developing best practice biodiversity enhancement throughout both urban-amenity and infrastructure land. This will be coordinated by programmes of education and community engagement and will support the development of environmental skills training in the region. III. Allocations for new Green Infrastructure for Lakeside will be identified in other relevant Development Plan Documents. IV. The Council will identify projects to enhance the network further by improving the quality of existing provision and create new facilities to address existing deficiencies and serve the increasing population and to improve links between sites.

BIODIVERSITY

Development will be encouraged to include measures to contribute positively to the overall biodiversity in the Borough. 1. The Biodiversity Network The Council will create a robust network of ecological sites centring on the designated sites, i.e. SSSIs, SPAs, Ramsar, Local Nature Reserves and Local Wildlife Sites. These sites will be safeguarded and enhanced to mitigate the effects of past habitat loss and fragmentation, development and climate change. 2. Positive Biodiversity Management I. The Council will ensure that all designated sites are managed appropriately and will prepare suitable Biodiversity Management Plans, with partners, to demonstrate how positive management will be achieved. II. Buffering and extensions to existing sites and additional habitat will be sought through the adoption of appropriate Biodiversity Site Management Plans. III. Access will be balanced against biodiversity interest. 3. Key Sites The Council has identified the following key sites that it will work with partners to enhance, and will pursue appropriate opportunities to increase the biodiversity network in the Borough. i. East Thurrock Marshes; ii. Mardyke Valley Project; iii. Local Wildlife Sites; and iv. Living Landscapes Sites. 4. Climate Change and Habitat Loss The Council recognises the need for mitigation for habitat loss due to climate change. It supports the identification, through the Thames Estuary 2100 project, of potential inter-tidal habitat creation sites at Fobbing Marshes and East Tilbury, and fresh water habitat creation sites at North Fobbing Marshes, South Fobbing Marshes, Tilbury and West Tilbury Marshes and the Mardyke. 5. Biodiversity and Geodiversity Action Plans I. The Council is committed to delivering the actions set out within the Thurrock, Essex and UK Biodiversity Action Plans. II. The Council will promote small-scale biodiversity interventions such as green roofs. III. The Council supports the production and implementation of the Geodiversity Action Plans being developed by local 'geo' groups in Eastern England as part of the East of England Geodiversity Partnership.

PRODUCTIVE LAND

The Council recognises the importance of food security and will ensure the protection, conservation and enhancement of agriculture, productive land and soil in the Borough. 1. Ensuring appropriate land management I. The Council will promote the appropriate management and conservation of agricultural land and soil to address the changing climatic and economic environment anticipated in the future. II. Development of the best and most versatile land (DEFRA Grades 1, 2 and 3) will not be supported except in exceptional circumstances. Developers will need to demonstrate that: i. there is no suitable site in a sustainable location on land of poorer agricultural quality; or ii. alternative sites have greater value for their landscape, biodiversity, amenity, heritage or natural resources or are subject to other constraints such as flooding. III. The Council will take into account the importance and quality of agricultural land when considering land allocation for climate change adaptation/mitigation activities such as new fresh and salt-water habitat. 2. Supporting productivity I. The Council, with its partners, will support the rural economy through: i. Recognising and promoting the economic value of local food production and distribution. ii. Promoting farming and local food co-operatives and supporting rural grant applications. iii. Promoting and encouraging the expansion of agri-environment schemes. iv. Maintaining and enhancing soil quality and resilience and optimising the areas where soil degradation has occurred. v. Encouraging energy-efficiency and renewable energy in agriculture. vi. Promoting sustainable water use. vii. Promoting woodland creation in appropriate places. 3. Complementary uses I. The Council will encourage farm diversification where appropriate through the development of complementary small-scale businesses, which do not undermine nor degrade agricultural capacity. Businesses such as: i. Rural shops, pubs and services which contribute to maintaining the clusters of facilities serving the rural community; ii. Country pursuits that make a significant contribution to rural areas and have the potential to expand the leisure and tourism industry. II. The Council will support sustainable transport for rural access. 4. Allotments and urban production I. The Council will support opportunities to engage residents in food production to increase education and awareness of healthy living. II. The Council will seek to identify opportunities for food production in urban areas including allotments, community gardens and orchards. III. Developers will be required to consider provision for allotments in new development in line with the standards in the Greengrid Strategy and Appendix 5. IV. Some areas of Thurrock have been identified as being deficient in quality sites for allotments. The following allotment areas have been identified as sites for improvements to allotments: i. Anchor Field; ii. Bull Meadow; iii. Cromwell Road; iv. Thurloe Walk; v. Whitehall Lane; vi. West Road; vii. Adams Road; viii. Wharf Road; and ix. High Road. V. Where deficiencies exist in small-scale allotments in rural areas, the Council will identify potential sites and any improvements to these sites.

MANAGEMENT AND REDUCTION OF FLOOD RISK

I. The Council will ensure that flood risk management is implemented and supported through effective land use planning. The Sequential, and where necessary Exception Test, as set out in the NPPF and associated Planning Practice Guidance will be employed when allocating sites for development and an Emergency Plan for the Borough will be completed. II. The Council will also continue to work collaboratively with the Environment Agency by supporting the area based policy approach adopted in the Thames Estuary 2100 Project. In particular the Council will seek to safeguard existing flood defences and new areas for flood defences, water storage and drainage areas, as well as seeking secondary defences for key assets. III. The Council will support the work of the Environment Agency in the Environmental Enhancement Project for the Mucking Flats and Marshes to ensure the delivery of appropriate flood mitigation and environmental enhancement measures. IV. The Council will work with the Environment Agency and other main stakeholders to ensure that fluvial and surface water flood risk is managed within Thurrock. This will include supporting the policies identified in the South Essex Catchment Flood Management Plan, such as identifying and safeguarding areas of land for existing and future areas of water storage in Policy Units 9, 10, 11 & 12 and in formulating System Asset Management Plans (SAMP) and the Integrated Urban Drainage Plans for Stanford-le-Hope, Tilbury and Purfleet. A Surface Water Management Plan will also be carried out to assist in the identification and mapping of areas susceptible to surface water flooding as recommended by Defra and the Pitt Review. Development proposals that will affect these locations will be expected to contribute towards infrastructure improvements, including where appropriate green infrastructure, in these locations to enable the development to proceed. V. The Council will ensure that, where necessary, new development throughout the Borough contains space for water including naturalisation and environmental enhancement. VI. Developers will be required to incorporate sustainable drainage systems as a priority and to contribute towards flood risk management infrastructure where appropriate. VII. Planning applications received for sites within Flood Zone 3 will be treated in accordance with the NPPF, this policy and Policy PMD15.

RIVER THAMES

I. The Council and Partners will ensure that the economic and commercial function of the river will continue to be promoted through: i. Priority being given to allocating riverside development sites to uses that require access to the river frontage, especially those which promote use of the river for passenger transportation purposes. ii. Safeguarding port-related operational land. iii. Safeguarding additional adjacent land required for further port development, including expansion. For port development onto additional land to be acceptable however, it will be necessary to substantiate the need for it over and above land that is already available for operational port uses. iv. To safeguard existing and promote new jetties and wharves facilities where appropriate for transport of goods and materials. II. New development will provide new or enhanced sustainable, safe and equitable access to and along the river foreshore, especially using natural and semi-natural corridors and other elements of the Greengrid. III. Development Proposals will be required to undertake appropriate level of flood risk assessment as set out by the NPPF and take account of the need for flood mitigation measures and to accommodate any necessary flood defence measures. IV. New development will also maintain or enhance views, particularly of key features including heritage and landscapes, and will improve recreational interaction with the river and its setting. Critical elements include: i. The Thames Path through Thurrock, a designated National Trail. ii. National Cy

REGIONAL WASTE APPORTIONMENT

Strategic Approach to London's Imports I. Thurrock will only make provision for London's waste imports equivalent to the following cumulative tonnages across the Plan period (from2009/2010) of 1,885,000 tonnes. II. Thurrock will not allocate or grant planning permission for new landfill capacity to accommodate London's waste arisings where the above capacity requirements have been met. III. Provision for new non-landfill waste facilities will only be made for waste not included within the above apportionment where a facility has a clear benefit to the region, such as the provision of specialist processing or treatment which would not be viable without a wider catchment and which would enable recovery of more locally generated wastes and contribute to meeting the capacity requirements set out in CSTP29. IV. Proposals for facilities to manage waste imported into Thurrock will be assessed primarily against the requirements of this policy, Policy CSTP29 and policies provided in the MWDPD.

PROVISION OF MINERALS

1. Land Won Minerals I. The Council will endeavour to maintain a landbank of at least 7-years and aim to meet the sub-regional apportionment of 0.14mt per annum of sand and gravel throughout the Plan period or meet any subsequent change in the period as agreed by national policy or as a result of a review of the regional apportionment. The Council will assess the provision of the landbank through its monitoring framework. II. To ensure the prudent use of Thurrock's mineral resources: i. Mineral working will only be permitted where there is an identified national, regional or local need and the sites fall within the criteria policies outlined in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan. ii. The forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan will identify 'Preferred Areas' located within the Minerals Safeguarding Area (MSA) (Policy CSTP32) which, if granted planning permission, will contribute to maintaining the sand and gravel annual apportionment and the 7-year landbank. Sites will be phased depending on the identified need, based upon the requirements outlined above (see Table 13) to 2021 or beyond, where the site will contribute to maintaining the 7-year landbank and meeting the sub-regional apportionment throughout the Plan period. 2. Recycled and Secondary Aggregate Subject to the waste policies of this plan the Council will encourage the use of facilities for recycling aggregate or secondary materials, or processing of such materials, as alternatives to land won aggregate. Proposals on unallocated sites which do come forward must meet the criteria set out in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan.

SAFEGUARDING MINERALS RESOURCES

1. Mineral Safeguarding Area All site allocations for mineral extraction identified in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan will be based on the MSA to be identified in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan and on the Proposals Map. All areas identified in the MSA will be safeguarded from non-mineral related development. Applications for non-mineral related development on the site allocations will be assessed against the policies provided in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan. 2. Aggregate Recycling and Secondary Processing Sites The permanent authorised aggregate recycling capacity will be safeguarded from non-mineral related development, unless the proposals meet the criteria outlined in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan and/or the site is identified for alternative use in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan. All safeguarded sites will be allocated in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan. 3. Coated materials and concrete products The permanent authorised facilities for concrete batching, manufacture of coated materials and concrete products, and the handling, processing and distribution of substitute, recycled and secondary aggregate material will be safeguarded from non-mineral related development, unless the proposals meet the criteria outlined in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan and/or identified for alternative use in forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan. All safeguarded sites will be allocated in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan. 4. Aggregate Wharves All existing aggregate wharves will be safeguarded against proposals which prejudice their use for the importation of aggregates. The Council will favour proposals which contribute to the importation of aggregates where they accord with the policies in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan. New sites for possible aggregates importation will be considered where they accord with the policies in the forthcoming Thurrock Local Plan.

MINIMISING POLLUTION AND IMPACTS ON AMENITY, HEALTH, SAFETY AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Development will not be permitted where it would cause or is likely to cause unacceptable effects on: i. the amenities of the area; ii. the amenity, health or safety of others; iii. the amenity, health or safety of future occupiers of the site; or iv. the natural environment. 2. Particular consideration will be given to the location of sensitive land uses, especially housing, schools and health facilities, and nationally, regionally and locally designated biodiversity sites, and areas of recreational and amenity value which are relatively undisturbed by noise and valued for this reason. 3. The Council will require assessments to accompany planning applications where it has reasonable grounds to believe that a development may suffer from, or cause: i. Air pollution; ii. Noise pollution; iii. Contaminated land/soil; iv. Odour; v. Light pollution and shadow flicker; vi. Water pollution; vii. Invasion of privacy; viii. Visual intrusion; ix. Loss of light; x. Ground instability; xi. Vibration 4. Where the assessment confirms such potential harm, planning permission will only be granted if satisfactory solutions can be achieved through design, or suitable mitigation measures can be put in place through conditions or a planning obligation. Where an assessment is not forthcoming the Council may refuse permission on a precautionary basis. 5. The Council will seek compliance with, and contribution to, EU limit values or national objectives for pollutants, taking into account the presence of Air Quality Management Areas and the cumulative impacts on air quality in local areas arising from individual sites. 6. In the interests of supporting legitimate business activity pursuant to policy CSSP2 the Council will resist the introduction of sensitive uses in locations where their presence would be likely to lead to unreasonable restrictions over business activity having to be imposed in order to avoid unacceptable nuisance to those sensitive uses.

FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT

1. Applications relating to sites not covered by the Thurrock Sequential Test will be required to be supported by a site-specific Sequential Test to demonstrate compliance with the NPPF, and associated Planning Practice Guidance. To reflect the nature of Thurrock's defended floodplain, particular reference should be made to the hazard rating for each site where covered by the Thurrock Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. 2. Only those applications classified under the 'minor development' or 'changes of use' categories will be exempt from both the Sequential and Exception Tests, and 'water compatible' development will be exempt from the Exception Test. All developments will still be expected to meet the requirements for Flood Risk Assessments. 3. Development proposals subject to the Exception Test in Thurrock must show that the following criteria have been met (in addition to FRA requirements outlined in the NPPF and associated Planning Practice Guidance): I. In addressing that part of the Exception Test requiring demonstration that the development provides wider sustainability benefits to the community that outweigh flood risk, reference should be made to the main assessment criteria outlined in the Thurrock Sustainability Appraisal and any opportunities to reduce the overall flood risk posed to the community, including schemes to make space for water; II. The FRA must demonstrate that the development will be 'safe', without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and where possible will reduce flood risk overall. For Thurrock, this will mean addressing the following points in particular: i. Flood hazard must be fully considered and reference should be made in the site-specific FRA to the SFRA, or site-specific modelling. This should be used to inform a sequential approach to planning within the site; ii. Where it is deemed acceptable to reduce flood storage as a result of development, level for level compensation storage must be provided to ensure that there is no increased flood risk elsewhere; iii. Where appropriate, an emergency plan for the development must be submitted that is consistent with the emergency plan for the area. This will include evidence that 'more vulnerable' development can achieve safe access/egress to a communal refuge point or unaffected area accessible to the emergency services. In highly exceptional cases where access/egress to a place of safe refuge cannot be achieved, these will be considered on their individual merits; iv. Where appropriate, flood avoidance, flood resistance and flood resilience measures must be incorporated into the design of any development; v. Evidence that surface water management schemes, and other flood defence measures that are required on-site in order to allow a development to take place will be adequately maintained for the lifetime of that development by the site owner; vi. Evidence that the proposed development will not interfere with the potential for future maintenance or improvements to flood defences. 4. Developers may be required to provide Developer Contributions towards the improvement of Emergency Planning services and flood defence measures within Thurrock as part of flood management mitigation. 5. Developments will be expected to incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) to reduce the risk of surface water flooding, both to the site in question and to the surrounding area. Where the potential for surface water flooding has been identified, site specific Flood Risk Assessments should ensure that suitable SUDS techniques are incorporated as part of the redevelopment.

Development in the Green Belt

The Council will maintain, protect and enhance the open character of the Green Belt in Thurrock in accordance with the provisions of the NPPF. The Council will plan positively to enhance the beneficial use of the Green Belt by looking for opportunities to provide access to the countryside, provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation, to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity, and to improve damaged and derelict land. Planning permission will only be granted for new development in the Green Belt provided it meets as appropriate the requirements of the NPPF, other policies in this DPD, and the following: 1. Extensions i. The extension of a building must not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building. In the case of residential extensions this means no larger than two reasonably sized rooms or any equivalent amount. ii. The extension of the curtilage of a residential property which involves an incursion into the Green Belt will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that very special circumstances apply. 2. Replacement Buildings i. Replacement dwellings in the Green Belt will only be permitted provided that the replacement dwelling is not materially larger than the original building. ii. The replacement of other buildings shall only be for the same use, and the replacement building shall not be materially larger than the one it replaces. 3. Established Residential Frontages i. Where an established frontage of residential development exists in the Green Belt, planning permission will be granted, subject to compliance with all other relevant policies in this plan, for new dwellings on genuine infill plots and the replacement of existing dwellings and the extension of existing dwellings located on the existing frontage only. Replacement dwellings and extensions to existing dwellings will not be subject to the size limitations contained in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this policy. Established frontages of residential development in the Green Belt are identified on the Interim Adopted Proposals Map. 4. Re-Use and Adaptation of Buildings I. The re-use and adaptation of buildings for residential, employment, leisure or community use will be permitted, provided the following criteria are met: i. The building is of a permanent and substantial construction and does not require significant rebuilding before it can be put to its proposed use; ii. The building should not detract from the character and appearance of the locality after implementation of the new use. The bulk, form and general design of the building must reflect its surroundings; iii. The proposed use can be fully contained in the building and would not require extensive new buildings or inappropriate use of open areas; iv. The use does not have a materially greater impact than the present use on the openness of the Green Belt or amenities of the area by reason of noise, visual intrusion, traffic generation, fumes, dust or other forms of nuisance. II. Re-use or adaptation of existing farm buildings for non-agricultural purposes will not automatically result in permission being granted to erect additional buildings to accommodate the displaced agricultural uses. Where permission for re-use or adaptation is granted, the Council will consider attaching a condition that removes permitted development rights for new farm buildings on the agricultural holding. The following factors will be considered when applying such a condition: i. The openness and landscape value of the agricultural holding and surrounding area; and ii. The grouping and/or dispersion of existing buildings on the agricultural holding and in the vicinity; iii. The size of the holding and the ability to disperse new agricultural buildings widely within it. 5. Equestrian Facilities i. The Council will expect stables to be located in existing buildings wherever possible. New buildings will only be permitted where there are no suitable existing buildings. ii. Stables will only be permitted where they are requisite to the use of the land for grazing. The Council will only permit one stable per 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) of grazing land and the stable must be on, or immediately adjacent to, the grazing land. iii. Stud farms, riding schools and other large-scale commercial equestrian facilities will only be permitted in the Green Belt where they use existing buildings. iv. Permission will not be given for additional housing in association with stables. 6. Infilling and partial or complete redevelopment of a previously developed site comprising more than a single building, and located outside of Established Residential Frontages I. Infilling should: i. have no greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development ii. not exceed the height of the existing buildings discounting any abnormally tall existing structures; and iii. not lead to a major increase in the developed proportion of the site. II. Redevelopment should: i. have no greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development taking into account any proposed enclosure of open land ii. contribute to the achievement of the objectives for the use of land in the Green Belt iii. not exceed the height of the existing buildings discounting any abnormally tall existing structures iv. not occupy a larger area of the site than the existing buildings unless this would achieve a reduction in height which would benefit visual amenity, and v. satisfactorily integrate with its landscape surroundings and, where it may be appropriate in order to meet that objective, buildings should be sited closer to existing buildings. The relevant area for the purposes of II iv above is the aggregate ground floor area of the existing buildings excluding temporary buildings. Any buildings demolished prior to the grant of permission for redevelopment will not count as developed area. The Council will expect the site to be considered as a whole, whether or not all buildings are to be redeveloped, and the floor area limitation at II iv above relates to the redevelopment of the entire site. Any proposals for partial redevelopment should be put forward in the context of comprehensive, long-term plans for the site as a whole. In granting permission the Council may impose conditions to ensure that buildings which are not to be permanently retained are demolished as new buildings are erected in order to keep the total development area under control so that there is no adverse effect on openness. 7. Agricultural and Forestry dwellings I. Permanent agricultural dwellings New permanent dwellings will be allowed on well-established agricultural units to support existing agricultural activities providing all of the following are met:- i. there is a clearly established existing functional need for one or more workers to be readily available at most times on the unit. ii. the need relates to a full time worker, or one who is primarily employed in agriculture and does not relate to a part-time requirement. iii. the unit and activity concerned:- have been established for at least three years; have been profitable for at least one of them; are currently financially sound; and have a clear prospect of remaining so. iv. the functional need could not be fulfilled by another existing dwelling on the unit, or any other existing accommodation in the area which is suitable and available for occupation by the worker(s) concerned. v. the proposed dwelling is of a size commensurate with the established functional requirement. vi. the proposed dwelling would be sited so as to meet the identified functional need, and be well-related to existing farm buildings or other dwellings, and; vii. the relevant requirements of the Council's policies for management of development are met. In relation to (i) above such need will be considered to exist if workers are needed to be on hand day and night in case animals or agricultural processes require essential care at short notice, or to deal quickly with emergencies that could otherwise cause serious loss of crops or products and pose a substantial threat to the financial soundness of the unit. The protection of livestock from theft or injury by intruders may contribute on animal welfare grounds to the need for a new dwelling but will not by itself be considered sufficient to justify one. Requirements arising from food processing, as opposed to agriculture, will not be considered justification for a new dwelling. If any dwelling(s) or building(s) suitable for conversion to dwellings have recently been sold separately from the farmland concerned this will be considered as evidence of a lack of agricultural need. In relation to (v) above dwellings that are unusually large in relation to the agricultural needs of the unit, or unusually expensive to construct in relation to the income the unit can sustain in the long term will not be permitted. The relevant consideration will be the requirements of the enterprise rather than those of the owner or occupier. The planning permission for a dwelling will be made subject to a condition removing 'permitted development' rights for enlargement in order to ensure that a dwelling once built does not exceed a size commensurate with the established functional requirement. II. Temporary agricultural dwellings If a new dwelling is essential to support a new farming activity, whether on a newly created agricultural unit or an established one, the Council will only permit this to be provided by way of a caravan or other temporary removable accommodation.

BIODIVERSITY, GEOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Development proposals will be required to demonstrate that any significant biodiversity habitat or geological interest of recognised local value is retained and enhanced on-site. Where it can be demonstrated that this is not possible, and there is no suitable alternative site available for the development, developers will be required to show that their proposals would mitigate any loss of biodiversity or geological interest. In circumstances where it can be demonstrated that neither retention on site nor mitigation is possible, developers will be required to provide appropriate compensation for any significant loss of biodiversity or geological interest, such that there is no overall net loss of biodiversity habitat or features of geological conservation interest in Thurrock. The Council will seek to achieve net gains in biodiversity where such gains would be possible, with particular reference to the desirability of re-creating priority habitats and the recovery of priority species. 2. The Council will not permit development that would result in the loss, or partial loss, of a locally designated biodiversity or geological site, except in exceptional circumstances where it can be demonstrated that there is no alternative, subject to the sequential approach outlined in (1) above. 3. To enable the Council to determine an application which would result in a loss of biodiversity or geological value, the developer will be required to submit a detailed justification setting out: i. why the loss is considered to be unavoidable ii. an assessment of what species and habitat would be lost or adversely affected as a result of development (including an ecological survey where appropriate) iii. how the loss or adverse effect is proposed to be mitigated on-site through habitat restoration or creation; and/or compensated for through the acquisition and management of a suitable site within the area, or a financial contribution towards the purchase and management of such a site or management of an existing site to bring it up to a necessary standard. 4. Thurrock Council will require development proposals to incorporate biodiversity or geological features into the design as far as possible. These may include green roofs, brown roofs and the creation of green corridors for wildlife. 5. Where it is necessary to secure the biodiversity or geological interest of a development site, the Council will seek the provision and implementation of a Biodiversity or Geological Management Plan through planning obligations. The Council will evaluate development proposals and biodiversity management plans or geological management plans against recognised best practice.

HERITAGE ASSETS AND THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

1. Protecting and Enhancing Heritage Assets I. The Council will preserve or enhance the historic environment by: i. Promoting the importance of the heritage assets, including their fabric and their settings; ii. Encouraging the appropriate use of heritage assets and their settings; iii. Supporting increased public access to historic assets, including military and industrial heritage; iv. Reviewing the designation of local heritage assets, including considering the designation of new Conservation Areas; v. Retaining non-designated heritage assets which are considered locally important as well as those with statutory protection; and vi. Encouraging proposals that include enhancement of surrounding landscapes and integration between priority heritage assets and the Greengrid. 2. Proposed Development I. All development proposals will be required to consider and appraise development options and demonstrate that the final proposal is the most appropriate for the heritage asset and its setting, in accordance with: i. The objectives in part 1 above; ii. The requirements of PMD 4 Historic Environment; iii. Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Proposals as appropriate; and iv. Relevant national and regional guidance. 3. Priorities for Heritage Regeneration and Enhancement I. The Council will work collaboratively with owners and partners to encourage the appropriate regeneration and use of priority heritage assets to secure their long-term future. The Council will identify priority heritage assets from: i. English Heritage's national Heritage at Risk Register; ii. The Thurrock Heritage at Risk Register, which will be reviewed annually; iii. The Conservation Area Management Proposals, which will be reviewed at least every five years, and iv. A local list of heritage assets once produced. v. The Historic Environment Record II. Of priority heritage assets already identified, the Council will: i. Ensure that the setting of Tilbury Fort, including views of it from the river, are appropriately protected and enhanced, and that encroachment on the open land around it is not permitted. ii. Ensure that the setting of Coalhouse Fort is appropriately protected from development and that its fabric is conserved. iii. Resist development that undermines an understanding of the role the river Thames has played in the historic development of Thurrock. iv. Promote public access between Tilbury Fort and Coalhouse Fort through riverside links. v. Ensure that any new development close to, or within, Bata Village or the Bata Factory complex is well designed and contributes positively to their settings. vi. Ensure that Thurrock's historic landscapes, and the contribution made to them by ancient woodland, hedgerows and trees, are appropriately considered in all development proposals.

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

The Council will ensure that the fabric and setting of heritage assets, including Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Scheduled Monuments and other important archeological sites, and historic landscape features are appropriately protected and enhanced in accordance with their significance. 1. The Council will also require new development to take all reasonable steps to retain and incorporate non-statutorily protected heritage assets contributing to the quality of Thurrock's broader historic environment. 2. Applications must demonstrate that they contribute positively to the special qualities and local distinctiveness of Thurrock, through compliance with local heritage guidance including: i. Conservation Area Character Appraisals; ii. Conservation Area Management Proposals; iii. Other relevant Thurrock-based studies, including the Landscape Capacity Study (2005), the Thurrock Urban Character Study (2007) and the Thurrock Unitary Historic Environment Characterisation Project (2009). iv. Further local guidance as it is developed. 3. The Council will follow the approach set out in the NPPF in the determination of applications affecting Thurrock's built or archaeological heritage assets including the expectation that the relevant historic environment record will be consulted and the heritage asset(s) assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. This will include consideration of alterations, extensions or demolition of Listed Buildings or the demolition of unlisted buildings within Conservation Areas, and requirements for pre-determination archaeological evaluations and for preservation of archaeology in situ or by recording.

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND LOCATIONS

1. HOUSING DELIVERY Thurrock is required to deliver a minimum of 18,500 dwellings between 2001 and 2021. This policy makes provision through allocations at broad locations for approximately 13,550 dwellings for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2021. Within the overall total allocation, the Council has also made an Indicative Provision for 4750 dwellings for the 5-year period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026 in accordance with the provisions of PPS3 to provide a strategic 15-year supply from the planned date of Adoption of this DPD in 2011. I. New residential development will be directed to Previously Developed Land in the Thurrock Urban Area, Outlying Settlements and other existing built-up areas to protect the surrounding countryside and Green Belt. Over the period 2009 to 2021 the Council will seek to ensure that up to 92% of new residential development will be on Previously Developed Land (PDL). II. Development will only be permitted on greenfield and Green Belt land where it is specifically allocated for residential development and where it is required to maintain a five-year rolling housing land supply. III. The Council has and will continue to identify Broadly Defined Locations for the release of land within the Green Belt in accordance with Policies CSTP 1 and CSSP 4 to help maintain a rolling 5-year supply of available and deliverable housing land over the Plan period to 2026 and will maintain this rolling 5-year supply through an Annual Refresh of the SHLAA and the Annual Monitoring Report. IV. The Council's Strategic Spatial Housing Policy is to direct development to Broadly Defined Locations that make optimum use of Previously Developed Land both in and around the Thurrock Urban Area, at identified Outlying Settlements and within the Green Belt where appropriate, subject to section 2 and 3 below. 2. ALLOCATIONS AND PHASING I. To allocate at least 85% of new housing development in the 5-year period 2011-2016 inclusive to Previously Developed Land (PDL) locations in and around the Thurrock Urban Area, at the identified Outlying Settlements and within the Green Belt where appropriate. II. To allocate at least 80% of new housing development in the period 2011-2026 to PDL locations in and around the Thurrock Urban Area, at the identified Outlying Settlements and PDL locations within the Green Belt where appropriate. III. Identify and allocate Broadly Defined Locations for the release of land within the Green Belt in accordance with Policies CSTP 1 and CSSP 4 for the period 2011–2026 to accommodate no more than 20% of new housing development. IV. To identify indicative Broadly Defined Locations for the release of sufficient PDL in and around the Thurrock Urban Area and at the identified Outlying Settlements together with PDL and green-field locations within the Green Belt to provide the indicative Strategic Housing Land supply from 2021 to 2026 inclusive in accordance with PPS3. 3. SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF PROPOSED HOUSING BROAD LOCATIONS 2009 - 2021 i. Thurrock Urban Area (Identified Dwelling Capacity as at 1st April 2009) The great majority of new housing and associated development for the period 2009-2021 will be located in and around the Thurrock Urban Area Key Centre for Development and Change including: Purfleet 3180 dwellings West Thurrock/Lakeside Basin 3365 dwellings Grays 2605 dwellings Tilbury including Town centre 470 dwellings Chadwell St Mary 390 dwellings TOTAL 10,010 dwellings ii. Outlying Settlements north of the A13 (approximately 2100 new dwellings) Ockendon and Aveley will be a focus for regeneration including provision for a limited number of additional homes on PDL locations under-pinned by enhancement of community infrastructure and services. This includes capacity identified for 210 dwellings on Previously Developed Land in the Green Belt. In addition the Aveley Village Extension, South of Aveley By-pass site (340 dwellings) is shown on the Proposals Map as a release from the Green Belt as a consequence of a recent planning permission. iii. Outlying Settlements south of the A13 (approximately 580 New dwellings) The outlying centres of East Tilbury and Corringham/Stanford-le-hope will each be a focus for regeneration including provision for a limited number of additional homes on Brownfield land under-pinned by enhancement of community infrastructure and services. This total includes the recent consent on Green Belt land at Batafield at East Tilbury. The housing location is shown on the Proposals Map as a release from the Green Belt as a consequence of a recent planning permission. iv. Stanford-le-hope/Corringham Urban Extension (330 new dwellings - indicative capacity) There will be a limited release of greenfield land at two locations on the urban fringe of Stanford-le hope / Corringham. In total the land release on the urban fringe will amount to 330 dwellings approx. No dwelling, including its curtilage, may be located on areas modelled to be Flood Zone 3b, including an appropriate allowance for climate change. There are additional PDL sites available within the urban area. The final site boundaries will be included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. v. North-east Grays Urban Extension (approximately 460 dwellings - indicative capacity) There will be a limited release of PDL within the Green Belt that will be made available by the relocation of one school and one college currently located within the North-East of the Grays Urban Area to accommodate new homes supported by community infrastructure. The final site boundaries will be included in the Adopted Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and identified on the Proposals Map. A new "Sports Hub" of co-located leisure and sports facilities will be developed in association with the new homes and the new relocated school/college. vi. Small Green Belt sites /Villages in Green Belt (approximately 120 new dwellings) As of 1st of April 2009 there was potential capacity for 120 dwellings (including a number with planning consent) on PDL and green-field Green Belt land at several small sites. This Policy does not preclude continuation of one-off green-field or PDL Green Belt land release for small housing sites where proposals could demonstrate "very special circumstances" in accordance with PPG2, and meet the requirements of the relevant Thematic and Development Management policies in this Plan. 4. INDICATIVE 5 YEAR HOUSING SUPPLY (15 YEAR TOTAL) FROM 2021 TO 2026 INCLUSIVE The Council considers that the most appropriate Indicative Broad Locations for the long-term housing supply beyond 2021 is Previously Developed Land within the Thurrock Urban Area and outlying urban settlements. For the Period 2021-2026 Inclusive: Indicative Locations and Capacity (based on identified capacity) Lakeside Basin 2600 dwellings (approx) Tilbury Town Centre (eco-quarter) 546 dwellings (approx) Grays (broad location) 1935 dwellings (approx) West Thurrock 279 dwellings (approx) Stanford –le-hope and Corringham 250 dwellings (approx)

STRATEGIC HOUSING PROVISION

Thurrock is required to deliver a minimum of 18,500 dwellings between 2001 and 2021. The Council will promote a mix of dwelling types, size and tenure, to meet the needs of Thurrock's current and future population. The Council will monitor and review housing land supply on a regular basis to ensure sufficient land is available to enable the following: 1. HOUSING GROWTH 2009 TO 2026 i. For the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2021, an additional 13,550 dwellings are required to meet this policy aim. ii. For the 5 year period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026, the Council has made an indicative provision for 4750 dwellings. iii. The SHLAA and future reviews will identify deliverable sites for 5yrs and developable sites within 10yrs and 15yrs period that will underpin the AMR and Housing Trajectory. iv. Housing Sites will be allocated as part of the Site Specific Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document. v. The Council uses a Managed Delivery Approach to the calculation and maintenance of a continuing deliverable 5-year housing land supply. This approach is based on a 'plan, monitor, manage' regime using the key tools of the Annual Monitoring Report and the SHLAA to monitor and review the Housing Trajectory. Through this process the Council will track the progress in housing delivery and the continuing maintenance of a deliverable 5-year housing land supply in accordance with the current PPS3 or its statutory successor. vi. The Council and partners will actively seek to increase the supply of deliverable housing sites where it appears that the five-year housing supply will not meet the required dwelling provision. 2. HOUSING DENSITY APPROACH i. Proposals for residential development will be design-led and will seek to optimise the use of land in a manner that is compatible with the local context. The Council will strongly resist excessive density that would lead to a poor quality of life for existing and future occupants of the local area and would undermine the Council's commitment of delivering sustainable neighbourhoods. ii. New residential development will be led by the design standards set out in the Layout and Standards SPD and the Core Strategy Policies. iii. Within the Borough's Town Centres, Regenerations Areas, key flagship schemes and other areas with high public transport accessibility, the Council will, subject to other development plan policies, seek to secure a minimum density of at least 60 dwellings per hectare. Outside of these areas, a density range of between 30 and 70 dwellings per hectare will generally be sought. 3. DWELLING MIX i. The Council will require new residential developments to provide a range of dwelling types and sizes to reflect the Borough's housing need, in accordance with the findings of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, any relevant development briefs, the local context, amenity and car parking standards. 4. LIFETIME HOMES AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING i. The Council will require all future development to meet the highest standards of accessibility and inclusion. All new dwellings will be required to meet the Lifetime Homes standard. ii. The Council will seek 3% of new dwellings on developments of 30 dwellings or more will be built to full wheelchair standards. iii. The requirements for Lifetime Homes and Accessible Housing may be adjusted where the developer is able to prove that these requirements will be economically unviable, rendering the site undeliverable.

THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

1. In order to address the current and future need for Affordable Housing in Thurrock, the Council will seek the minimum provision of 35% of the total number of residential units built to be provided as Affordable Housing. The Council's policy is that provision should be maintained in perpetuity as Affordable Housing as far as legally possible. 2. The Council will seek Affordable Housing to meet local needs on qualifying sites subject to: i. its suitability for on-site provision; ii. the economics of providing affordable housing; iii. the extent to which the provision of affordable housing would prejudice other planning objectives to be met from the development of the site; and iv. the mix of units necessary to meet local needs and achieve a successful sustainable socially inclusive development. 3. The Council recognises that the majority of Thurrock's identified housing land supply is on Previously Developed Land often subject to a variety of physical constraints. The capacity of a site to deliver a level of Affordable Housing that can be supported financially will be determined by individual site 'open book' economic viability analysis where deemed appropriate. This analysis will take into consideration existing use values, as well as other site-specific factors. 4. In some areas of Thurrock, the local need for Affordable Housing may be less than 35%. In this case the Council will require a financial contribution to off-site Affordable Housing provision at the equivalent rate to meet priority needs elsewhere within Thurrock. 5. In order to meet the overall target, the Council will seek to achieve, where viable, 35% Affordable Housing on all new housing developments capable of accommodating 10 or more dwellings or sites of 0.5 ha or more irrespective of the number of dwellings. Sites below threshold will make an equivalent financial contribution towards off-site provision. 6. The Affordable Housing provision should seek to achieve a target of 70% social rented accommodation with the balance being provided as intermediate housing. In determining the amount and mix of Affordable Housing to be delivered, specific site conditions and other material considerations including viability, redevelopment of previously developed land or mitigation of contamination will be taken into account. 7. Where appropriate for specific sites, criteria setting out variations in the form the contribution should take (including tenure mix) will be provided in the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD. 8. The following Affordable Housing dwelling size mix will generally be sought where affordable housing is provided: Dwelling size: No. bedrooms 1-Bed 2-Bed 3-Bed 4-Bed Affordable Housing Provision 40% 35% 15% 10% Where this affordable mix is not considered appropriate developers will be required to justify to the satisfaction of the Council a more appropriate affordable dwelling mix. 9. The above proportions relating to social rented housing, intermediate housing and dwelling size may be varied where justified and with agreement with the Council; the Council will take account of the latest available evidence from the SHMA (or its equivalent successor). 10. The Council will require developments to integrate Affordable Housing and market housing, with a consistent standard of quality design and public spaces, to create mixed and sustainable communities.

SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Council has identified the Key Strategic Infrastructure Projects set out below as essential to the delivery of the Core Strategy. Key Infrastructure Projects: Transport and Access - Road: M25 widening to Dual four lanes north of Junction 30; M25 Junction 30/31 Improvements; Lakeside, A13 Improved Accessibility East and West; A13 widening sections J30-A126 and A128-A1014; A1014 London Gateway Improvements; Lakeside Expansion and Diversification Transport Package; Bus services infrastructure improvements; South East Rapid Transit extending into Thurrock to Lakeside; Lorry Parks at West Thurrock, Tilbury and London Gateway. Transport and Access - Rail: Stations: 12-car platform lengthening; Grays Station Transport Zone and improved interchanges at other stations; New station at West Thurrock; Double Tracking of Grays to Upminster Railway line; Rail-freight terminals at London Gateway and West Thurrock. Social Community Infrastructure - Education, Learning and Skills: Thurrock Learning Campus (Grays); An Academy of Transport and Logistics at London Gateway or Grays Learning Campus; Schools Strategy: Primary and Secondary School Rebuild and Relocation Programme including Post 16 Education (Palmer's Sixth Form College, Grays; Additional Sixth Form Provision at Gable Hall School, Gateway Academy, Ormiston Park and Chafford Hundred); Secondary Education (new build, refurbishment and expansion of existing mainstream secondary schools; rebuild Belhus Chase School on its existing site as Ormiston Park Academy and safeguard adjoining land for long-term expansion; priority provision of additional school places at existing schools in major regeneration areas and relocation where appropriate); Primary Education (new additional primary schools in Purfleet and South Stifford; long-term further new primary school in Grays; relocate and expand Chafford Hundred Primary School on adjoining land; Lakeside; new build, refurbishment and expansion of up to 43 existing mainstream primary schools). Social Community Infrastructure - Health and Well-Being: Grays Community Hospital; Development of new and improved Primary Health Facilities and GP Practice facilities across Thurrock; Multi-hub Community Centres providing enhanced provision through network of new centres providing range of services and facilities for local neighbourhoods; The "Cornerstone" project at Chadwell St. Mary providing range of public and voluntary sector services; Two "Sports and Well-Being Hubs" of co-located leisure and sports facilities at Belhus and North-East of Grays; New and existing schools providing access to sports facilities for general and specialist need. Social Community Infrastructure - Culture and Leisure: Royal Opera House Production Facilities at Purfleet; Other cultural and leisure facilities at East Tilbury; Investment in other cultural facilities in Grays town centre including the State Cinema; Flagship leisure and cultural industries to be reviewed as part of other Local Development Documents; Development of the Greengrid Network linking major residential areas with open space; Improving links from the river to open areas in the Green Belt; Improved public access to and along the riverfront; Provision of new urban open space including strategic scale Community Parks and smaller areas of open space; Multi-hub Community Centres: provision of new and enhanced library services and community activity venues and facilities with the first project at Purfleet. Social Community Infrastructure - Emergency Services and Utilities: New police facilities at Purfleet; New ambulance station required to meet needs of growing population; Longer term relocation of Fire Service station to new location closer to Junction 30/31; New wastewater pipe serving Purfleet and West Thurrock Area; Potential upgrades to Tilbury wastewater treatment works; New power station at Tilbury; Flood Defence Infrastructure.

EMERGENCY SERVICES AND UTILITIES

1. The Council will work with partners to ensure the adequate provision of emergency services and utilities to meet existing and future needs. The Council will ensure that: I. Proposals for development will not be permitted unless the Council is satisfied that any consequential loss or impact on utility infrastructure or emergency services is fully mitigated. II. The Council will aim to facilitate co-location of services especially within community hubs where opportunities arise. III. The Council will ensure that services are easily accessible to minimise response times for the local community within Thurrock. IV. The Council and partners will work with the Essex Local Resilience Forum in order to ensure that emergency services are able to reach all members of the community within Thurrock. V. The Council will work with partners to ensure that facilities and services are located and designed to be resilient to flood risk and other emergencies to ensure continuity of service in times of flood. VI. Proposals for development will not be permitted unless the Council is satisfied that mechanisms to ensure the co-ordinated and timely delivery of utility infrastructure has been put in place. VII. Proposals for development must provide for the phased delivery of any necessary new infrastructure linked to the phasing of development, particularly water supply and waste water treatment. 2. Key Schemes I. Emergency Services (i) New police facilities at Purfleet. (ii) New ambulance station will be required to meet the needs of the growing population. (iii) Longer term relocation of Grays Fire Service station to a new location closer to Junction 30/31. II. Utilities i. New waste water sewer serving Purfleet and West Thurrock Area - already planned by Anglian Water Services and due to be built during by 2015. ii. Potential upgrades to Tilbury Sewage Treatment Works to treat and discharge additional waste water flow generated by development. iii. Proposed new power station at existing location in Tilbury. III. Funding and Developer Contributions i. Where new or improved utilities or services are required to serve the proposed development, which are unfunded by other means, the Council will require contributions in accordance with Policy CSSP3, Policy PMD16 and the Developer Contributions SPD.

STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION

1. STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY PLAN I. The Council and Partners will adopt the Strategic Infrastructure Delivery Plan as the basis for the Core Strategy Infrastructure Trajectory. The Council and Partners commit to an Annual Review of the above Delivery Plan for Monitoring and Reporting purposes with a fundamental Review every 3 years or more frequently if required by local circumstances, changes in Government guidance, requirements or Regulations. 2. STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE BOARD I. The Council and delivery partners will work together with other partners and stakeholders to set up a Strategic Infrastructure Board reporting to the Sustainable Communities Board of the Thurrock Local Strategic Partnership "Shaping Thurrock". The Board will not have executive powers but will seek to arrive at jointly agreed decisions on priorities for investment. II. The Council and delivery partners also recognise that there may well be the need for Scheme-led or area-based Local Asset Backed Vehicles to be set up, such as for Purfleet PRIDe. III. A Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule will be produced in consultation with partners and published in due course to support this policy. IV. The Council recognises that the current economic climate may cause delay to the Delivery Plan. Reductions in public spending may mean that there is less funding available for infrastructure. Development may be less profitable than envisaged so growth will be slower to take place, and infrastructure expected to be funded by Section 106 obligations and/or CIL will be correspondingly delayed. This may mean that the Council has to prioritise, bringing forward those schemes which are most important and/or easiest to deliver.

DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS

1. Where needs would arise as a result of development, the Council will seek to secure planning obligations under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and in accordance with the NPPF and any other relevant guidance. 2. Through such obligations, the Council will seek to ensure that development proposals: i. Where appropriate contribute to the delivery of strategic infrastructure to enable the cumulative impact of development to be managed. ii. Meet the reasonable cost of new infrastructure made necessary by the proposal. iii. Mitigate or compensate for the loss of any significant amenity or resource. iv. Provide for the ongoing maintenance of facilities provided as a result of the development.

WASTE STRATEGY

I. The commercial function of the river will continue to be promoted through: i. Priority being given to allocating riverside development sites to uses that require access to the river frontage, especially those which promote use of the river for passenger transportation purposes. ii. Safeguarding port-related operational land. iii. Safeguarding additional adjacent land required for further port development, including expansion. For port development onto additional land to be acceptable however, it will be necessary to substantiate the need for it over and above land that is already available for operational port uses. iv. To safeguard existing and promote new jetties and wharves facilities where appropriate for transport of goods and materials. II. New development will provide new or enhanced sustainable, safe and equitable access to and along the river foreshore, especially using natural and semi-natural corridors and other elements of the Greengrid. III. Development Proposals will be required to undertake appropriate level of flood risk assessment as set out by the NPPF and take account of the need for flood mitigation measures and to accommodate any necessary flood defence measures. IV. New development will also maintain or enhance views, particularly of key features including heritage and landscapes, and will improve recreational interaction with the river and its setting. Critical elements include: i. The Thames Path through Thurrock, a designated National Trail. ii. National Cycle Network Route 13, which overlaps with the Thames Path through much of Thurrock. iii. Safeguarding of strategic and locally important views. V. The following exceptions to this may apply: i. Where industrial/commercial development requires use of the river and its foreshore and needs to restrict public access for operational or safety reasons. ii. Where unrestricted public access is likely to result in unacceptable adverse impacts on riverside habitat or biodiversity. In both cases, reasons for access restrictions will need to be substantiated and justified with supporting evidence. In addition, the expectation will be that opportunities will still be sought to enable views of the river and its setting, such as through the design of development.

WASTE STRATEGY

1. Waste Planning Strategy The Council will seek to drive waste management up the waste hierarchy by: I. Ensuring developments minimise waste at source and maximise use of recycled materials. Within major developments provision should be made for local waste reduction, recycling and management. II. Reducing waste arisings and increased re-use/recycling and recovery of waste. The level of biodegradable waste going to landfill will be reduced by increasing recycling and composting rates for all municipal, commercial and industrial waste. III. Creating a sustainable network of waste management facilities that complements the sustainability objectives in accordance with the Thurrock Sustainable Communities Strategy. IV. Seeking to treat waste as a 'resource' and where possible use waste to drive forward local renewable energy objectives. 2. Waste Management Capacity Provision will only be made for total waste management capacity equivalent to the requirements for Thurrock (including imports) as set out in the Core Strategy (Tables 5, 6 and 7) or latest capacity requirements as identified through an update of the regional or local data as a result of a review of the LDF. 3. Strategic Site Approach and Contingency In order to meet the provision in part 2 above, the Council will identify 1 or 2 strategic sites for the co-location of a range of waste management activities within the broad locations of Tilbury – Purfleet and the London Gateway as identified on the key diagram. These sites will be located within appropriate employment and industrial/port locations and will be identified in the MWDPD and identified in the Proposals Map. Where it is demonstrated that the strategic site allocations are proven to be undeliverable, or where the waste management capacity requirements cannot be met on the allocated sites, planning permission in non-strategic areas will be considered where the site/s are situated within: i. existing waste management facilities, except landfill sites, where this does not lead to a reduction in the existing waste management capacity; ii. appropriate employment locations; or iii. appropriate port locations; and, iv. Where the sites meet the relevant policies in this Core Strategy and criteria set out in the policies in the MWDPD and development management policies. New development for waste management will not be permitted in the Green Belt, unless part of a necessary restoration scheme and the proposals conform with Green Belt policy. The exception to this is the provision of small scale facilities which address an identified local need where no suitable sites outside the Green Belt have been shown to exist following an alternative assessment. 4. Recycling and Composting Additional recycling and composting provision is required in Thurrock to

TRAVELLING SHOWPEOPLE

1. The existing approved and established sites listed below will be safeguarded as permanent accommodation in the Borough for Travelling Showpeople: Buckles Lane, South Ockendon Rear of Mill Lane / London Road, West Thurrock Rear of St Chad's Road, Tilbury 2. The Council will meet any jointly agreed and identified future need for Travelling Showpeople in the Borough through the allocation of land at the existing temporary site to the west of land south of Buckles Lane and upgraded to meet Showman Guild Standards. The extent of this site will be identified in the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and shown on the Proposals Map. 3. Should the East of England Plan be revoked or the Joint Review process abandoned, the Council will initiate a Review of further need through the GTAA Review process with a view to making further allocations if necessary. 4. Subject to the completion of the Review process no further plots will be permitted for this use unless the proposed site/s meet the relevant following requirements: (i) The Council is satisfied that there is a clearly established need for the site within Thurrock. (ii) The number of plots involved cannot be met by an existing or allocated site within Thurrock; (iii) The plot meets the Showman Guild Standards; (iv) The plot is suitable for mixed residential and business/storage uses; (v) The plot is accessible by foot, cycle and/or public transport to local services and facilities, such as shops, primary and secondary schools, healthcare and other community facilities; (vi) Development of the plot will not unacceptably impact upon the safety and amenity of the occupants and neighbouring uses; (vii) Development of the plot will not unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the area and will not result in an unacceptable visual impact; (viii) The plot will have safe and convenient access to the road network and would not cause a significant hazard to other road users; (ix) The plot will make provision for parking, turning, service and emergency vehicles; (x) Proposals incorporate a landscape strategy where appropriate; (xi) The vulnerability of the proposed site to flood risk and potential danger to occupants has been assessed in accordance with the requirements of Policy PMD15; (xii) The plot is not situated on, or adjacent to, sites of international, national, regional or local biodiversity and/or geological diversity importance;

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND REGENERATION IN THURROCK

Thurrock Council is committed to promoting sustainable growth in Thurrock that serves to regenerate its communities by proactively engaging with developers to deliver high quality sustainable development schemes across all types of land uses and facilities. Thurrock Council, when considering development proposals, will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. It will always work proactively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in Thurrock. Working pro-actively to find solutions will be achieved by measures such as encouraging applicants to hold early pre-application discussions and through the use of Planning Performance Agreements and Local Development Orders in appropriate circumstances. Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Core Strategy, (and, where relevant, with polices in neighbourhood plans) will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether: (i) Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or (ii) Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted. The presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply where development requiring appropriate assessment under the Birds or Habitats Directives is being considered, planned or determined.

NETWORK OF CENTRES

1. New Lakeside Regional Centre: Consistent with emerging Policy ETG2, the Council supports the transformation of the northern part of the Lakeside Basin into a new regional centre. This will be achieved in policy through a detailed chapter and inset plan within the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and the Lakeside Implementation and Delivery SPD. The Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD will also include the Regional Town Centre boundary which will be identified on the Proposals Map. Expansion at the new Lakeside regional centre will include the following: (i) Up to 50,000 sqm of net comparison floorspace (by 2019); (ii) At least 4,000 sqm of net convenience floorspace; (iii) Up to 3,000 new dwellings; subject to review and the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD. (iv) Employment and other services floorspace to broaden the employment base; (v) Commercial leisure floorspace, including food and drink uses, consistent with the function of a regional centre. 2. Grays Town Centre: the Council supports the regeneration of Grays town centre. It will become the focus for cultural, administrative and educational functions, whilst providing retail development that is complementary to the Lakeside Basin. Development should be of an appropriate scale and should be well integrated with the existing centre. Development in Grays town centre will include the following: (i) Up to 5,500-6,500 sqm of net comparison floorspace by 2026; (ii) Up to 4,000-5,000 sqm of net bulky durable floorspace by 2026; (iii) Between 1,500-2,000 sqm of net convenience floorspace by 2026; (iv) Other cultural, administrative and education developments consistent with the spatial vision for Grays. 3. Existing Local Centres: Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, South Ockendon, Tilbury, Aveley, Socketts Heath are designated as local centres. The Council encourages the following development for local centres: (i) Renewal, upgrading or remodelling of existing floorspace; (ii) Additional small scale retail floorspace space in suitable locations that will strengthen the centres' retail offer; (iii) Investigation into the potential of a new supermarket on an appropriate site in Stanford-le-Hope to reduce convenience expenditure leakage from the east of the Borough. 4. New Centres: A new local centre is designated at Purfleet. Two new neighbourhood centres are designated at West Thurrock and South Stifford and will be developed in conjunction with major residential development. The Council encourages the following development for these new local centres: (i) In Purfleet, a new food store of between 1,500-2,000 sqm (net) convenience retail floorspace and complementary floorspace; (ii) In all new local centres, an appropriate mix of day to day services will be provided to accommodate the needs of the residential development. 5. Existing Neighbourhood Centres: Larger neighbourhood parades are identified at Chadwell St Mary, Stifford Clays, East Tilbury, Corringham, Grays, Little Thurrock, Chafford Hundred, Tilbury. Smaller neighbourhood parades are identified at South Ockendon, Aveley, Grays, Tilbury, Linford, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Purfleet. The Council encourages the following for neighbourhood centres: (i) Maintain existing retail function, with changes of use to ground-floor retail units to non-retail use permitted where it can be shown there is no long-term demand for retail use of the unit or where there is a particular community need that would be met by the change of use.

VITALITY AND VIABILITY OF EXISTING CENTRES

The Council will maintain and promote the retail function of existing centres. Measures to improve the vitality and viability of the network of centres will be encouraged in order to meet the needs of the Borough's residents and act as a focus for retail, leisure, cultural, business and residential uses. The Council will do this in the following ways: (i) Permitting applications for main town centre uses on suitable sites of an appropriate scale to the role and function of the centres, with Town Centres being the preferred locations, followed by edge of Town Centre locations; (ii) Resist proposals for main town centre uses in out of centre locations if town centre or edge of town centre locations are available, and also at edge of town centre locations if Town Centre locations are available; (iii) Encouraging diversification and improvement of the range and quality of facilities including retail, employment, leisure and entertainment, community, culture and education; (iv) Retaining and, subject to other Core Strategy policies, permitting additional residential development in appropriate locations and in particular on sites identified for mixed development; (v) Improving access for public transport, pedestrians, cyclists and those with special needs, whilst managing road traffic and improving road safety; (vi) Improving the wider environment by ensuring new development protects and/or enhances the designated centres including historic character, townscape and biodiversity; (vii) Where appropriate seeking to improve personal safety and contribute to crime reduction by design and other measures

TRANSPORT IN THE THURROCK URBAN AREA: PURFLEET TO TILBURY

1. The Council will work with partners to deliver at least a 10% reduction in car traffic from forecast 2026 levels. To achieve this the Council and partners will: I. Phase the delivery of a network of walking and cycling core routes, with priority in growth areas. These will be supported by widespread provision of good quality cycle parking facilities. The core routes will improve access to education, healthcare, transport interchanges, employment, sports facilities, the riverside, Grays town centre, and Lakeside Regional Shopping Centre. They will also form an integral and substantial part of the Greengrid. In fulfilling this role the core routes will also provide sustainable access from the urban doorstep to both strategic and local green space. Wherever possible the design and route selection will assist to deliver biodiversity enhancement and habitat corridors. II. Implement widespread 20mph zones in residential areas in the Thurrock Urban Area. Priority will be in areas of deprivation, especially health deprivation, in order to create neighbourhoods that are safer for pedestrians and cyclists as well as residents. III. Deliver the National Cycle Network Route 13 by 2026. IV. Improve public transport infrastructure in the Thurrock Urban Area through the phased delivery of the South Essex Rapid Transit (SERT) and other inter-urban public transport and bus priority, allowing fast and reliable services to the new Community Hospital and Learning Campus at Grays, Lakeside Regional Shopping Centre, and employment opportunities. V. Ensure new development promotes high levels of accessibility by sustainable transport modes and local services are conveniently located to reduce the need to travel by car. VI. Employ Smarter Choices measures to change travel behaviour to achieve a reduction in forecast traffic and help to deliver better air quality and a better environment for job creation. Priority areas for Smarter Choices programmes include Grays and Lakeside. VII. Identify priority areas such as Grays town centre and Lakeside Basin, for network efficiency improvement measures to address congestion and air quality issues. Other Air Quality Management Areas as well as growth/regeneration areas will undergo transport network improvements, including where improved access is required. VIII. Road space will be reorganised to improve the public realm and give further priority to sustainable modes at transport interchanges, with priority at Grays rail station. IX. The maximum and minimum residential car parking standards and the maximum non-residential car parking standards will be reduced where accessibility is high. This would principally be in areas within the vicinity of transport interchanges, inter-urban public transport routes, and town centres. 2. New Lakeside Regional Centre The Council supports the transformation of the northern part of the Lakeside Basin into a new regional centre. This will be achieved in policy through other Local Development Documents. Regeneration and remodelling of the wider Lakeside Basin and West Thurrock areas will be taken forward with the following guiding principles: i. Securing more sustainable movement patterns, reduced private motor vehicle dependence and complementary travel demand management measures including an area-wide travel plan. ii. Improving local accessibility and connectivity by public transport and pedestrian and cyclist permeability throughout the area including consideration of ways to reconnect the north and the south of the area, a high frequency service rail station in the south, and a personal rapid transit system. iii. Providing the necessary improvements to the local and strategic road network. iv. Introduction of a car parking charging and management regime.

TRANSPORT IN GREATER THURROCK

In Greater Thurrock, accessibility, especially to work, education and healthcare, will be improved. To achieve this the Council and partners will: I. Promote and support the use of passenger services that respond to demand particularly in areas with poor accessibility. II. Integrate local passenger transport services with the inter-urban public transport routes such as SERT. III. Prioritise Rights of Way/Bridleway improvements, such as the Mardyke Valley route, that contribute to the development of the Greengrid. IV. Develop local walking and cycle routes that link to the Thurrock urban area and that link the National Cycle Network Route 13 to employment. Access to London Gateway will be a priority. These local routes will also form an integral part of the Greengrid strategic and local green links. Wherever possible the design and route selection will assist to deliver biodiversity enhancement and habitat corridors. V. Support more sustainable and healthy travel patterns through school and workplace travel plans, particularly in South Ockendon and in accessing London Gateway. The latter should include improved public transport interchange at Stanford-le-Hope railway station and with SERT, to connect with local bus services to London Gateway. VI. Growth or regeneration areas will also undergo transport network improvements where new accesses are required, particularly for sustainable transport modes. VII. Ensure new development, especially London Gateway, promotes high levels of accessibility by sustainable transport modes and local services are conveniently located to reduce the need to travel by car.

National and Regional Transport Networks

1. The Council will work with partners to deliver improvements to national and regional transport networks to ensure growth does not result in routes being above capacity. Public transport improvements will be prioritised in order to achieve a modal shift. To achieve this the Council and partners will: I. Develop a high quality network of inter-urban public transport routes offering a minimum of a half hourly frequency during the day, linking the Thurrock Urban Area with other Regional Transport Nodes and London. II. Improve capacity by lengthening platforms at key railway stations. III. Provide a route linking Thurrock Urban Area to Basildon through SERT by 2016 followed by additional routes to other Regional Transport Nodes. IV. Improve passenger connections that make use of the River Thames, such as linking Tilbury and Gravesend. V. Improve capacity and connections between modes of transport at key transport interchanges such as rail stations. Priority will be given to: i. Improvements of inter-urban public transport routes and connections, and especially access to Strategic Employment Sites. ii. Improvements at Grays, Stanford-le-Hope, Chafford Hundred/Lakeside, Tilbury, and Purfleet, and a new rail station at West Thurrock. VI. Target key economically important routes for accident reduction interventions. VII. Support the delivery of additional highway capacity, including through the use of technology and information, but only where modal shift will be insufficient to address congestion. Opportunities will be taken to improve public transport as part of any enhancements. Priority will be given to routes that provide access, especially for freight, to Strategic Employment Sites, the ports at London Gateway, Tilbury and Purfleet, and regeneration areas. This will include: i. M25 between junctions 27 and 30 ii. M25 junction 30 iii. A13 from A128 to A1014 iv. A13 and A1089 junction improvement v. A1014 from A13 to London Gateway 2. Thurrock Council will, with the Highways Agency and relevant stakeholders where appropriate, identify cost effective interim measures to deliver sustainable and efficient national and regional transportation infrastructure within Thurrock.

Strategic Freight Movement and Access to Ports

The Council will support the logistics and port sectors, and the positive impacts of freight activity in Thurrock and beyond, by: 1. Facilitating a shift to rail freight and freight carried on the River Thames. This will be through: I. Protecting inter-modal, rail and water-borne freight facilities from other development at locations where a demand exists or is expected to exist. II. Promoting the use of rail and water borne freight facilities by supporting the development of appropriate infrastructure. III. Supporting improvements to facilitate sustainable freight movements, including the rail hub at London Gateway, the South West Thurrock Railhead and improving access to the ports. 2. Facilitating the provision of 24 hour lorry parks at Tilbury Port, London Gateway and West Thurrock. Subject to compliance with other policies in this plan, other lorry parks will be considered in locations where demand can be shown to exist, which are located away from residential areas and have good access to the Strategic Road Network 3. Working as part of a Freight Quality Partnership and with other relevant partners, in order to: i. Maximise modal shift opportunities. ii. Ensure freight traffic keeps to the most suitable routes as defined in Thurrock Council's Road Network Hierarchy. iii. Promote the use of less polluting freight vehicles. iv. Reduce the adverse impact of congestion caused by road freight on the A13, A1089, and A1306.

TRANSPORT ASSESSMENTS AND TRAVEL PLANS

Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, and Travel Plans must accompany planning applications in accordance with the Department for Transport guidance in Guidance on Transport Assessments (March 2007). i. Travel Plans must be consistent with Council policies. They will normally be secured through planning obligations, although planning conditions might suffice where this will clearly be the best option because the outcomes and measures required are simple and very clear, such as where the travel plan is for an existing use. ii. All developments that fall below the thresholds for individual Travel Plans will be expected to support the Council's Smarter Choices programme or Area Wide Travel Plans. iii. Where schools add capacity through development or new schools are proposed, they will be required to develop a School Travel Plan or revise their existing Travel Plan. iv. Proposals for residential developments of 25 units or more should be accompanied by a 'Safe Routes to School' assessment. v. Development will only be permitted where the Travel Plans, Transport Assessments or Transport Statements are agreed by the Council and there is adequate provision for existing or planned transport infrastructure and other proposed measures. Proposed mitigation measures will either be implemented in their entirety by or on behalf of the developer or will be implemented as part of a wider pooling of resources. Developers will be required to make provision for the objectives of the agreed Travel Plans to be monitored. Agreed Travel Plans will include targets, coupled with penalties if outcomes are not being met. Where adequate affordable mitigation is not secured or achievable and the residual cumulative impacts of development proposals are likely to be severe, such developments will be resisted.

FREIGHT MOVEMENT

1. Applicants for development with a need for freight movements exceeding the equivalent of 200 daily HGV movements will be required, as part of their planning applications, to produce a Sustainable Distribution Plan. This should include evidence that commercially viable opportunities for freight carried by rail, water, pipeline or conveyor have been maximised, and that air quality impacts have been minimised. i. In addition, applicants for development generating significant HGV movements or extending the period over which existing HGV movements will continue will be required to carry out a HGV Impact Assessment. This will be either stand-alone or as part of the Sustainable Distribution Plan and will comprise a technical appraisal of routes and their adequacy, taking into account the need to avoid sensitive areas such as unsuitable residential areas. ii. HGVs will be required, through the use of planning obligations, to use Corridors of Movement (see Policy PMD9 and its associated map) in preference to roads further down the Council's Road Network Hierarchy. iii. Development generating significant levels of HGV traffic will only be permitted where they have access to Corridors of Movement on roads that are suitable or can be improved to a standard that will make them suitable for the level and type of HGV traffic the development is likely to generate and where the access would not be contrary to Policy PMD 9. iv. Through the use of planning obligations, developers will be expected to fund any road improvements that are required if existing routes are not entirely suitable and contribute towards area-wide transport improvement programmes in order to mitigate any potential/wider adverse impact of the development. 2. i. For B1, B2 and B8 developments in excess of 30,000 sqm, planning obligations for Vehicle Booking Systems will be secured as part of the overall Sustainable Distribution Plan, ensuring that the site cannot be used by any operator, until a Vehicle Booking System has been set up for that operator. This will be used as a mechanism to manage access onto designated routes during peak periods in order to manage road capacity. Designated routes will include the A13, A1089, A1306 and A1014. ii. B1, B2 and B8 developments in excess of 30,000 sqm will only be permitted where adequate facilities are provided for drivers of commercial vehicles. Where 24-hour operation is permitted for such developments, provision must be made for overnight parking for goods vehicles in accordance with the Layout and Standards SPD 3. Adequate on-site loading/unloading and manoeuvring space will be required in all circumstances in accordance with the Layout and Standards SPD.

PARKING STANDARDS

All development will be required to comply with the car parking standards set out in the Layout and Standards SPD. For residential developments the standards comprise of ranges within maximum and minimum levels of provision dependant on defined circumstances. For non-residential uses maximum standards apply. 1. In those parts of Thurrock which have good levels of car parking enforcement available, coupled with high levels of accessibility, reduced standards for residential and non-residential car parking will be applied. 2. Additionally, in other parts of the Thurrock Urban Area where the Council considers the potential substantial modal shift is clearly demonstrated by the Transport Assessment/Statement and Travel Plans, the reduced maximum standard for non-residential car parking and reduced minimum standards for residential car parking will be applied. Where the reduced standards are applied, the Council will require developer contributions to support the development of controlled parking zones, the enforcement of parking restrictions and car-free living, and other measures to reduce inappropriate on-street parking. 3. The Council will require developers to use the relevant residential carparking standard in conjunction with suitable physical design to reduce the risk of inappropriate on-street parking, thereby avoiding a street scene dominated by cars while maintaining access for service and emergency vehicles. 4. Development will be required to facilitate more equitable access and sustainable transport modes through the provision of at least the minimum levels of parking, as specified in the Thurrock Parking Standards Guidance, for: i. Cycles ii. Powered two-wheelers iii. Disabled car users iv. Electric and other low emission vehicles 5. Subject to the above framework, vehicle parking provision will only be permitted where it is safe and of a high design quality, including where it is either: i. Overlooked from within dwellings ii. Managed and monitored from commercial premises iii. Openly visible from the public highway, or iv. Planned on-street provision

ROAD NETWORK HIERARCHY

1. Routes of all levels The Council will only permit the development of new accesses or increased use of existing accesses where: i. There is no possibility of safe access taken from an existing or proposed lower category road ii. The design of the development minimises the number of accesses required. iii. The development makes a positive contribution to road safety or road safety is not prejudiced. iv. The development preserves or enhances the quality of the street scene. v. The development avoids causing congestion as measured by link and junction capacities. vi. Measures are taken to mitigate all adverse air quality impacts in or adjacent to Air Quality Management Areas. vii. The development will minimise adverse impacts on the quality of life of local residents, such as noise, air pollution, and the general street environment. viii. The development will make a positive contribution to accessibility by sustainable transport. These criteria apply to routes of all levels (1, 2 and 3). The following principles also apply to particular levels: 2. Level 1 Routes - Corridors of Movement. i. There is a presumption against new accesses or the increased use of an existing direct access onto a Corridor of Movement. Development served by side roads connecting to a Corridor of Movement will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the Corridor of Movement will not be adversely affected in terms of highway safety and traffic capacity. ii. Development will not be permitted where it impacts adversely on capacity and safety. iii. Where the Corridor of Movement comprises an Inter-urban Public Transport Route or provides access to one or more of the Borough's ports, new accesses must not have an adverse impact on the free flow of traffic. iv. Exceptions will be made only for developments of overriding national importance, strategic sites allocated in this Local Development Plan, and strategic public transport facilities. 3. Level 2 Routes - Rural Roads only i. The establishment of new accesses or increased use of existing direct accesses will not normally be accepted for Rural Level 2, except where the access is for small-scale uses permissible in the Green Belt which do not adversely affect road safety or limit capacity. ii. The Council will require that the provision of accesses is consistent with the Layout and Standards SPD. In all cases any access that is proposed should meet current design standards. iii. Exceptions to this policy will be made for the working of minerals to recognise that minerals can only be worked where they occur. In such cases, road improvements may be sought from developers.