An Introduction to Planning

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out the national framework for planning.  It considers that all development should be sustainable, well developed and boost housing supply and allows for protection of the green belt.  In Writtle, land below the A1060 in the parish is in the green belt.

The Local Plan is prepared by Chelmsford City Council who are the planning authority https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy-and-local-plan/adopted-local-plan/ It provides detailed policies for the district and is regularly reviewed.  Chelmsford City Council decide on planning applications based on the policies set out in the Local Plan along with consultee comments.

Writtle Parish Council is a consultee on planning applications in Writtle.  The Planning and Development Committee meet on the third Monday each month.  The agenda is published on the preceding Wednesday on the parish council website and noticeboards.  The agenda sets out which planning applications are to be considered.  There is an opportunity for anyone to attend the meeting to raise points in the public forum.  The parish council submit comments to Chelmsford City Council on any planning concerns they have, or to indicate if they have no objection to the application.  Members of the public are also able to make any comments on individual applications on the planning portal https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/view-or-comment-on-planning-applications/

As the planning authority, Chelmsford City Council make the decisions on planning applications.

The Writtle Neighbourhood Plan was formally adopted at a full Council meeting of Chelmsford City Council on 8 December 2021, following the successful acceptance vote at the referendum held on 21 October and now forms part of the Local Plan under which all planning applications have to be considered.  This document along with the Village Design Statement and the AECOM Design Guide have statutory status and should be read together as they apply to all planning applications, and set out policies and design principles in Writtle Parish and form part of the Local Plan.

The main objective of the AECOM Design Guide is to establish principles so that new development is designed and planned with regard to the existing character and context of the Writtle Neighbourhood Plan Area within the Neighbourhood Plan. It sets out a series of design guidelines related to green infrastructure and residential development within the landscape setting of Writtle.

The Writtle Village Design Statement (VDS) was developed by a residents steering group, which sought views of the entire community in order to identify the local design character of the Parish.  The VDS was launched and adopted as Planning Guidance by Chelmsford City Council in 2004. Its aim is not to prevent development but to manage change and design within the Parish of Writtle and is a statement of how local people want the built environment to look in the years and decades ahead.

Planning applications for works to trees with Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) or those located in the Conservation area are also sent to Writtle Parish Council for consideration. https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/media/gacfifdc/writtle-conservation-area.pdf.  These applications are reviewed by the two volunteer tree wardens and comments are submitted on the planning portal to Chelmsford City Council.

Chelmsford City Council are currently reviewing the Local Plan.  The latest consultation has now closed, but details of the results can be found on their website – Local Plan Review.  The parish council responded to the review – Writtle Parish Council response to Local Plan Review  In November 2025 Chelmsford City Council have made some additions to the proposed development sites across the Chelmsford District which can be viewed in the Additional Sites (Regulation 19) document on their website – https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy-and-local-plan/local-plan-review/

The revised plan is not currently proposing any further housing in Writtle.  The parish council have again responded to the review –

Overall the Parish Council remains in agreement with the proposals in the Chelmsford Local Plan Focused Consultation – Additional Sites (Regulation 19) Document.  We welcome that the proposals remain in line with the Writtle Neighbourhood Plan.