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Local plan

Find our what the vision looks like for ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham being transformed by 2037.

Our local plan

We are preparing a new Local Plan which sets the vision and framework for how ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham will be transformed to 2037.  The Local Plan sets out targets for the number of homes and jobs to be delivered and will reflect ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham's potential for growth in London.  It will set out the requirements for new infrastructure and facilities such as transport links, schools and health centres to meet the needs of new and existing residents as well as protect the features in the borough which people cherish, such as parks and historic buildings.

The Local Plan timetable is provided in the updated version of the Local Development Scheme (LDS). We will update it frequently so you can keep track of the progress of the Local Plan for the borough.

Latest news

For the latest news on the Examination please see the following link: 

Stay up to date

If you’d like to be added to the Local Plan mailing list and receive future notifications regarding key stages of the Local Plan process:

Send your contact details, including your email address, to:

planningpolicy@befirst.london

The Planning Inspector

In accordance with section 20 (4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Luke Fleming BSc (Hons) MRTPI and Guy Davies BSc (Hons) DipTP MRTPI have been appointed to hold an independent examination of the ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Local Plan Review.

The Programme Officer

The Council has appointed Ela King as the Programme Officer for the Local Plan.  Ela will work under the direction of the appointed Inspector.  Throughout the examination process, the Programme Officer will deal with all procedural and programming matters relating to the Inspector and Examination.

For all matters concerning the examination, please email programmeofficer@befirst.london

Examination Library

View all the documents submitted to the Secretary of State and get up to date information on the Examination process below: 

Statement of Community Involvement

We have updated the Statement of Community Involvement Refresh - August 2020 (PDF, 271KB) which sets out how the council will engage with local and statutory stakeholders on planning matters in the borough. This follows consultation on the document in Autumn 2019 (as approved by Cabinet on 18 June 2019) and incorporates updates, where appropriate, in response to the matters raised set out in the SCI Summary of Consultation Responses Report, September 2020.

What's happening now?

15 August 2024

The Council received the Inspectors’ Report for the ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham 2037 Local Plan on 15 August 2024. This document concludes the Local Plan examination process. The Inspector found the policies ‘sound’ subject to the inclusion of the ‘Main Modifications’ attached to their report. 

The Inspectors’ report and accompanying Main Modifications are available below:

The Local Plan will now progress to Assembly to seek approval for adoption.

19 February 2024

We welcome your thoughts on our Main Modifications Consultation for the draft Local Plan!

The draft Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State on 21 December 2021. Since then, we have undertaken two sets of examination hearing sessions with the Planning Inspectors. These took place in July 2022 and October/November 2023. Following the latest set of hearings, the Inspectors have provided their  which sets out that overall they are satisfied that the Local Plan is likely to be capable of being found legally compliant and sound, subject to Main Modifications. We are now consulting on proposed modifications and would welcome your views. 

Please note, this consultation is limited to the changes being proposed within the documents set out below. Please read our for more details on the scope of the consultation and for next steps before submitting a response. 

The consultation will run for 8 weeks between Monday 19th February 2024 and Sunday 14th April 2024. We welcome your feedback on the modifications set out in the following documents:

  1.  
  3. [These are modifications such as typos that do not affect the content of the Plan. These are not considered or examined by the Inspectors]

All previous representations made during the Reg 19 (1), Reg 19 (2) and Initial Main Modifications consultations have already been considered by the Council and will continue to be considered by Inspectors as part of the Examination Process.  There is no need to repeat these in response to this consultation. 

Clean Copies of Documents for Illustrative Purposes: 

Clean versions of the documents below are provided alongside the consultation documents. These incorporate the proposed modifications set out in the above documents.  The Inspectors have not requested these or considered them. However, they are for illustrative purposes only and have been provided by the Council to assist in the reading of the documents being consulted on. 

  • For illustrative purposes only, a of Local Plan Document C2 (Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations) incorporating the proposed modifications
  • For illustrative purposes only, an updated version of the submission Policies Map to show the changes put forward in the Submission Policies Map Modifications document (‘The London Borough of ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Submission Local Plan (submission documents C1: Regulation 19(2) Draft Local Plan 2021, and C2: Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations 2021) Submission Policies Map (C3) Modifications Schedule'):     
  • For illustrative purposes only, an interactive version of the Policies Map proposals, showing the policy constraints identified on the updated Policies Map referenced in ii above. This is to aid in the visualisation of individual layers (i.e., parts of the key can be 'switched off' by those using it to maintain a focus on a particular criterion of interest):  

Accompanying Evidence Documents Available for Review 

To review the evidence underpinning the Plan and the proposed changes, please visit our Examination Website  and  libraries.

Additional Modifications

A running list of the additional modifications proposed to be made to the draft Local Plan is also available for review. These types of modifications encompass minor elements such as typos and factual updates.:

How can I submit a response?

You can submit a response using our representation form:  

You can submit responses via email to Planningpolicy@befirst.london, or by post to:

Planning Policy Team

Be First

5th Floor, MAKE IT Barking

15 Linton Road

London

IG11 8HE 

Hard copies of the documents being consulted on are also available at ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²ÊTown Hall and Dagenham Library. 

Please also note, responses to this consultation will be published online. Names of those submitting representations will be shown, however other personal details such as email addresses or home addresses will be redacted.

Other documents:

Please see below for the Sustainability Appraisal Addendum, and HRA Addendum that considers the Main Modifications proposed in this consultation:

January 2024

The Council recently received the Inspectors' Post-Hearings letter setting out next steps following the main examination hearings that took place in October/November last year. To view the letter, please see document EX191 on the Examination Website. 

2 January 2024

Following the Local Plan Main Hearings in October/November 2023, a number of notes have been produced to clarify some of the questions raised by the Inspectors. This includes notes on Housing Supply, Gypsy and Traveller Sites, Infrastructure Delivery, Town Centres and Employment. These are now available in the examination library (EX185-EX189). Additionally, the Local Development Scheme has been updated and is also available in the examination library (EX184).

31 October 2023

The Stage 2 Hearing Sessions are to commence on the 31st of October 2023 at ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²ÊTown Hall. The following links will take you to the live streaming of the Hearing Sessions, which will be available to view retrospectively.

Date (2023) AM Morning Session PM Afternoon Session
Tuesday 31 October

And
Wednesday 1 November
Thursday 2 November
Friday 3 November
Tuesday 7 November No afternoon session held
Wednesday 8 November
Thursday 9 November
Friday 10 November
Tuesday 14 November
Wednesday 15 November
Thursday 16 November .
Friday 17 November

For more information about the Examination please see the , and for a breakdown of the Issues covered in each Matter, please see the

10 October 2023

Hearing Statements for the Local Plan Examination Main Hearings (scheduled to start on the 31st October 2023) are now available in our Local Plan (see ‘Stage 2 Agendas and Hearing Statements’ section). Please also note that our examination Hearings Programme was recently updated (see EX122 for the latest version). If you are interested in attending or are scheduled to participate, please continue to monitor our ‘’ section for updates.

07 September 2023

The Council have recently made available within our a number of documents including:

  • new or updated evidence documents linked to actions that came out of the preliminary hearings (within the ‘Post-Submission Evidence Documents’ section);
  • the representations received as part of the Initial Main Modifications consultation undertaken between Thursday 22nd June 2023 and Monday 7th August 2023 (within the ‘Representations made Initial Main Modification Consultation’ section)
  • the most recent versions of the modifications proposed by the Council and associated documents including a consultation summary for the Initial Main Modifications consultation (within the ‘Council’s Proposed Main Modifications’ section)

As set out on the Examination Library webpage, the Stage 2 Hearings for the examination of the London Borough of ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Draft Local Plan 2019 - 2037 will commence Tuesday 31st October 2023 at 10am in ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²ÊTown Hall, Town Hall Square, ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²ÊIG11 7LU. The associated Stage 2 Hearings documents, including a provisional hearing programme and the Inspectors’ ‘Matters, Issues and Questions’ are also available to view in our examination library (EX110-112). Luke Fleming BSc (Hons) MRTPI and Guy Davies BSc (Hons) DipTP MRTPI are the Inspectors appointed to hold the independent examination of the Draft Local Plan.

2 August 2023

The Council has updated the Action List and Forward Plan

22 June 2023

We welcome your thoughts on our Initial Main Modifications Consultation for the draft Local Plan!

Following submission of the draft Local Plan to the Secretary of State on 21 December 2021, we have undertaken preliminary examination hearings with the Planning Inspectors. These took place in July 2022 and highlighted a number of matters than need to be addressed within the draft Local Plan (Documents C1 and C2 on the examination website: ) and between the draft Local Plan and the Policies Map (Document C3: Proposals Map, also available on the examination website) before the Local Plan can progress to the main examination hearings. These matters were also highlighted in the Inspector’s Next Steps Letter, which paused the examination and requested the Council undertake further work associated with the Green Belt and Gypsy and Travellers, and to consult on a number of changes to the submission Local Plan to rectify Drafting Errors identified in the submission Local Plan and on the submission Policies Map. The Inspectors Stage One Hearings Next Steps Letter can be viewed .

Please note, this consultation is limited to the changes being proposed within the documents set out below. Please review our for more details on the scope of the consultation and for next steps. For the avoidance of doubt, all representations made during the Reg 19 (1) and Reg 19 (2) consultations will be considered by the Inspectors, we do not require comments made previously to be repeated.

The consultation will run for 6 weeks between Thursday 22nd June 2023 and Monday 7th August 2023 We welcome your feedback on the modifications set out in the following two documents:

  1. to the ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Submission Local Plan (submission documents C1: ‘Regulation 19(2) Draft Local Plan 2021’, and C2: ‘Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations 2021’) – This document sets out the Proposed Initial Main Modifications for the Regulation 19 (2) Draft Local Plan (Document C1) and Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations (Document C2) intended to rectify the mapping discrepancies within the submission Local Plan and between the submission Local Plan and the submission Policies Map which may have caused confusion during the Regulation 19 (2) consultation.
  2. The London Borough of ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Submission Local Plan (submission documents C1: Regulation 19(2) Draft Local Plan 2021, and C2: Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations 2021)  (C3) – This document set out the Proposed Submission Policies Map Modifications intended to rectify the mapping discrepancies between the submission Local Plan and submission Policies Map which may have caused confusion during the Regulation 19 (2) consultation.

To provide further clarification on the above, clean versions of the documents below are available for review. These incorporate the proposed modifications set out in the above, and are for illustrative purposes only. They are intended to assist in the reading of the two documents being consulted on (bullet points 1 and 2 above).

  • For illustrative purposes only, the and a of Local Plan Document C2 (Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations) incorporating the proposed modifications
  • For illustrative purposes only, an to show the changes put forward in the Proposed Submission Policies Map Modifications document (‘The London Borough of ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Submission Local Plan (submission documents C1: Regulation 19(2) Draft Local Plan 2021, and C2: Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations 2021) Proposed Amendments to the Submission Policies Map (C3)’).

Accompanying Evidence Documents Available for Review 

The following key evidence base documents that were not available at the time of the Regulation 19 (2) Local Plan but underpin some of the proposed changes set out as part of this consultation:

  •  
  • – (Further information for Cabinet Meeting available here: )
  • Cabinet Minutes [May 2023] -

Additional Modifications

A running list of the additional modifications proposed to be made to the draft Local Plan is also available for review. These types of modifications encompass minor elements such as typos and factual updates. This document will continue to be reviewed as we progress through the examination. The first version of the document is available below:

to the ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Submission Local Plan (submission documents C1: Regulation 19(2) Draft Local Plan 2021, and C2: Draft Local Plan Appendix 2: Proposed Site Allocations 2021)

How can I submit a response?

You can submit response using our representation form:

You can submit responses via email to Planningpolicy@befirst.london.

Hard copies of the documents being consulted on, alongside any new evidence relevant to these changes, is also available in hard copy at ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²ÊTown Hall and Dagenham Library. Postal submissions should be made to:

Planning Policy Team

Be First

5th Floor, MAKE IT Barking

15 Linton Road

London

IG11 8HE

If you are submitting a response via email or post and would like to be heard at the main hearings, please indicate this within the email/letter and/or your response. Please note, the final decision on who may be heard at the examination hearings is down to the discretion of the Inspectors.  

 

Please also note, responses to this consultation will be published online. Names of those submitting representations will be shown, however other personal details such as email addresses or home addresses will be redacted.

Other documents:

Please see below for the previously available Sustainability Appraisal, Consultation Summary and Statement of Fact:

 

   

22 June 2023

The Council has updated the Action List and Forward Plan

2 May 2023

The Council has updated the Action List and Forward Plan.

3 April 2023

The Council has updated the Action List and Forward Plan

Action List and Forward Plan

8 March 2023

The Council has updated the Action List and Forward Plan.

6 March 2023

Gypsy and Traveller call for sites

‌The Council published a , which shows how many new pitches need to be provided up to 2037. To help meet the accommodation needs of the borough's Gypsy and Traveller communities the Council is looking to allocate sites through the review of its Local Plan.

As part of this we are now asking landowners to put forward land that they think is suitable for this use. Any sites which are submitted will be assessed for their suitability and help the Council to make decisions over where to allocate sites to meet their identified need for traveller pitches.

Sites can also be submitted by completing and returning the Site Submission Form (DOC, 38KB)  and sending them to email PlanningPolicy@Befirst.London or via letter to the address below:

Be First
9th floor, Maritime House
1 Linton Rd,
Barking
IG11 8HG

You will also need to submit a map showing where the site is and what land it includes. 

You must return the completed form by Monday 17 April 2023.  After this date, we will assess all the sites received in order to decide which to take forward.

1 February 2023

Work is continuing to progress on the action points and studies are well underway. There has been a delay to the Exception Test/Sequential Test work which has now been factored into the latest iteration of the Action List and Forward Plan.

1 January 2023

The Council have now commissioned a specialist consultant to undertake a review of the 2016 Green Belt study. This is now reflected in the latest iteration of the Action List and Forward Plan.

1 December 2022

The Council has updated the Action List and Forward Plan.

11th November 2022

The Council received a letter from the Planning Inspectorate, detailing the next steps of the Local Plan examination.  You can read the letter below.

9th September 2022

The Council has written to the Planning Inspectors to provide assurance on the Duty to Co-operate. The following documents have been uploaded to the Examination Library:

9th August 2022

The Council has written to the Planning Inspectors to set out that additional work on the Duty to Co-operate is underway and that the intention is to provide this evidence by the start of September. 

27th July 2022

Due to the inclement weather during the Hearing Sessions, particularly on the 19th July 2022, re-runs of the Matter 1 and Matter 2 sessions were held on 27th July 2022 via Microsoft Teams. This was an opportunity for those who made representations at Regulation 19 (2) to have their say on these topics. Recordings of these meetings can be viewed by clicking on the following links: 

 

15th July 2022

The Hearing Sessions are to commence on the 19th of July at ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²ÊTown Hall. The following links will take you to the live streaming of the Hearing Sessions, which will be available to view retrospectively. 

Date (2022) Morning Session (9:30 to 13:00, except Matter 1 which begins at 10:00) Afternoon Session (14:00 to 17:00)
Tuesday 19 July 
Wednesday 20 July 
Thursday 21 July 

Friday 22 July

For more information about the Examination please see the .

1st July 2022

Responses to the Inspector's Stage 1 Matters, Issues and Questions (MIQs) have now been submitted by the Council as follows:

In support of these MIQ responses the Council has also submitted the following documents: 

1 June 2022

The Council submitted the following document to the Examination Library

17th May 2022

The Inspectors have now produced initial , which form the basis of the Stage 1 Hearing Sessions which will take place during the week of the 18th July 2022 (̨ÍåÁùºÏ²ÊTown Hall, Town Hall Square, Barking, IG11 7LU). Responses to these MIQs will be submitted by the 1st of July 2022.

25 April 2022

The Council has now provided the  response to the Inspector's Preliminary Matter Letter. The following documents have also been submitted in support of this response: 

25 March 2022

The Council has now provided the  response to the Inspector's Preliminary Matters Letter. The following documents have also been submitted in support of this response: 

22 February 2022

The Council have received the Inspectors . The questions are separated into two parts with a Part One response required on 25 March and a Part Two response required on 25 April 2022. 

27 January 2022

The Council sought to upload additional evidence base documents that were not submitted as part of the Submission Documents. These can be found on the  and are referenced EX7 to EX20. 

17 January 2022

The Council submitted the following documents to the Examination Library:

10 January 2022

The Council have now received the Local Plan Inspector Appointment Letter. In accordance with section 20 (4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Luke Fleming BSc (Hons) MRTPI and Guy Davies BSc (Hons) DipTP MRTPI have been appointed to hold an independent examination of the ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Local Plan Review. 

20 December 2021

Following the Regulation 19 (2) consultation, which ended on 28 November 2021, the London Borough of ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Draft Local Plan 2037 was submitted to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 20 December 2021. 

All representations made through the Regulation 19 (1) and Regulation 19 (2) publications have been submitted to the Inspector.

The Secretary of State will appoint a Planning Inspector to examine the Plan against the test of soundness set out in the NPPF:

  • positively prepared (i.e. the Plan seeks to meet needs);
  • justified (i.e. the Plan is supported by evidence);
  • effective (i.e. the Plan is ‘deliverable’) and;
  • consistent with National and Regional Policy (i.e. broadly aligns with both the NPPF and the London Plan)

The Plan will either be considered sound and ready for adoption assuming Inspector recommendations are implemented, or unsound.

For more information regarding the Examination process, please see the

You can also see

Documentation 

Post Main-Modifications Version of the Local Plan and Policies Map (due for Assembly consideration 18th September 2024)

Appendix 2a ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham 2037 Local Plan (PDF, 15.86 MB)

Appendix 2b - ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Local Plan Appendix 2 Site Allocation Proformas (PDF, 45.8 MB)

Appendix 3 Local Plan Policies' Map (PDF, 22.55 MB)

Main Modifications Consultation Summary Report September 2024 (PDF, 3.54 MB)

Regulation 19 (2) Consultation on the Draft Local Plan

Accommodation needs of Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people

Accommodation needs of Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people

Regulation 18 (2) Consultation on the Draft Local Plan

This consultation is closed. We are no longer asking for comments, but the draft Local Plan, appendices, and emerging evidence are available for you to view below.

Statement of Community Involvement (Refresh)

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) outlines how the council will involve the community in the planning of the local area. We adopted our last SCI in July 2015 and we are preparing a revised version as part of the Local Plan review.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted comments on the Statement of Community Involvement Refresh. The consultation period ran from Wednesday 10 July to Friday 6 September 2019.

A summary of all the responses received during the Statement of Community Involvement (Refresh) consultation:

Statement of Community Involvement Responses Summary Report (PDF, 169 KB)

Call for sites

Thank you to everyone who responded to our Call for Sites consultation which we carried out between 12 April and 17 May 2019.

We are currently reviewing all the sites submitted as part of the Local Plan Review.

Issues and options report, summary paper and consultation process (July 2015)

Shaping ̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham’s future survey

A short survey designed to get your views on key matters important to the development of the plan.

Issues and options survey (PDF, 83 KB)

Sustainability appraisal

̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham’s sustainability appraisal scoping report for the emerging Local Plan was consulted on between 20 March and 4 May 2015.

The scoping report forms an early stage of the sustainability appraisal. The sustainability appraisal is used to systematically assess the extent to which the emerging Local Plan will help achieve relevant environmental, economic and social objectives when judged against reasonable alternatives.

The sustainability appraisal process consists of five stages:

  • Stage A: Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope.
  • Stage B: Developing and refining alternatives and assessing effects.
  • Stage C: Prepare the sustainability appraisal report.
  • Stage D: Seek representations on the sustainability appraisal report from consultation bodies and the public.
  • Stage E: Post adoption reporting and monitoring

The scoping report covers Stage A.

Our draft scoping report

̨ÍåÁùºÏ²Êand Dagenham Local Plan sustainability appraisal scoping report (PDF, 1.63 MB)

Consultation draft sustainability appraisal scoping report consultation statement (PDF, 163 KB)