Minister intervenes at district over emerging local plan after council removes sites ahead of Regulation 19 stage

Matthew Pennycook’s intervention comes after the local authority decided at an extraordinary council meeting on 23 September to progress the plan to the Regulation 19 stage, but only after having removed six strategic site allocations.

In his letter to Rochford’s Leader, the Minister said this had resulted in “a significant shortfall against its identified local housing need”.

He added that he was concerned that “this approach risks advancing a plan that is unlikely to be found sound or legally compliant at examination, potentially undermining the council's efforts to secure an up-to-date local plan”.

Exercising the Secretary of State’s powers under section 21A of the 2004 Act (inserted by section 145(5) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016), Pennycook directed Rochford not to take any step in connection with the plan, while he considers whether to give a further direction under section 21 of the 2004 Act.

The direction will remain in force until the Minister withdraws it or gives a direction under section 21 of the 2004 Act in relation to the plan.

Pennycook said he would also be considering directions under section 27 of the 2004 Act “should this be necessary to drive the delivery of a sound plan”.

The Minister asked the council to provide him with the justification for the decision taken at the meeting on 23 September 2026 to remove the various sites, alongside the evidence produced in support of the emerging local plan.

A spokesperson for Rochford said: "We confirm that Rochford District Council has received the holding direction letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning. The letter sets a deadline of 7 October to provide requested evidence and we are working toward that deadline. In the meantime, no consultation on the Local Plan can take place until the Secretary of State's decision is made."