Consultations

Planning consultations

You can also:

• view our consultation on planning policy  page

• find out how to comment on a specific planning application

Chelmer Waterside

We consulted on the Chelmer Waterside planning framework in early 2021. You can keep up to date with the Chelmer Waterside project.

Community Governance Review

We have decided not to progress this any further. You can view the reasons behind this decision when it was discussed at Full Council in July 2026.

Dovedale Sports Centre

We consulted with users and non-users of Dovedale Sports Centre in early 2022, regarding improvement works. You can download the results of the Dovedale consultation and read the Dovedale press release.

We completed the refurbishment of the renamed Dovedale Leisure Centre in early 2026.

Homelessness

Many of us are fortunate not to have a direct experience of homelessness, but sadly, there are growing numbers of families in the district who do. The more of us who are aware of the challenges faced by some in our community, the better chance we have of preventing homelessness.

We ran consultation on our new Homelessness and Rough Sleepers Strategy, which closed on 21 November 2024. We will now analyse the results and revise the strategy accordingly.

Local government reorganisation (LGR)

The government is requiring that councils in Essex reorganise to abolish the two-tier system, and create a smaller number of unitary councils. 

We have submitted our proposals to central government, which you can read about on the Essex LGR Hub website.

You can also view our LGR page.

Local Plan Review

We need to review our Local Plan every five years. Consultation on the Focused Consultation Additional Sites (Regulation 19) Document has now closed. Find out more about the Local Plan Review.

Draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2025–2030

As the Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003, we consulted on our draft Statement of Licensing Policy, which will run from 2025 to 2030. 

The policy provides the framework for licensing decisions relating to:

• premises licences

• club premises certificates

• temporary event notices (TENs)

• personal licences

We have updated the policy to reflect: 

• the latest statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act

• new provisions relating to safeguarding and public safety. This includes reference to Martyn’s Law and Ask for Angela initiatives

• clarification of local expectations for applicants and licence holders

• updated local context and statistical information

This consultation is now closed but you can still download and view the draft policy.

Public art consultation

We have appointed artists to develop artwork to transform the air space above Cornhill leading to Market Square, in Chelmsford city centre. You can find out how to contribute your ideas.

New electricity power lines (East Anglia GREEN project)

In April 2022, National Grid launched a consultation on a project to build a 180km, 400kV electricity power line in East Anglia from Norwich to Tilbury. There will also be a new substation in Tendring. 

Part of the proposed new transmission line is planned to go through the rural north and west of Chelmsford.

You can view more information on the East Anglia GREEN project page or on our new power lines page.

Bradwell B Nuclear Power Station

China Generation Nuclear Power (CGN) and EDF Energy are developing proposals to build a new nuclear power station (Bradwell B) at Bradwell-on-Sea. Some parts of the development are off-site, which will support construction, are within the Chelmsford Council area.

You can read more about the power station development.