Supplementary Planning Documents and planning advice notes
In our Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), we set out more detailed advice and guidance on how we implement our Local Plan. SPDs support our Local Plan and we use them as an important material planning consideration when we make decisions. Our SPDs cover a range of topics.
We have also published some planning advice notes in response to common queries, changes in national policy or updated evidence.
Supplementary Planning Documents
This sets out how we will seek planning obligations when considering planning applications.
It identifies topic areas where planning obligations and possible contributions would be applicable, whether financial or otherwise. This can include providing things like affordable housing, open space, environmental improvements or community facilities, and/or paying financial contributions towards them.
Along with our Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule, the SPD gives clear guidelines to developers, landowners and stakeholders. It sets out the likely scope and scale of planning obligations applicable to different sorts of development.
This SPD gives guidance on how to prepare and submit planning proposals for solar farms, and how we assess them.
It considers and applies advice from a number of sources, including the requirements of National Planning Policy and Guidance, local planning policies and other relevant strategies.
It provides practical advice when considering solar farm proposals, and can be used by:
- solar farm applicants
- council planners
- local stakeholders and communities
You can download the:
You can also view our other SPDs, which are:
Planning advice notes
This Planning Advice Note provides practical guidance to potential co-living promoters or developers of this new form of housing. It also aids our decision making around these kinds of developments.
You can download the Co-Living Planning Advice Note 2025.
The purpose of this Planning Advice Note is to:
- encourage learning and understanding of community-led housing in the development industry
- enhance the role that communities can have in influencing increased provision of community-led housing.
The note provides an overview of community-led housing and signposts further information and resources, including a local specialist Community Led Housing Advisor.
You can download the Community Led Housing Planning Advice Note.
This seeks to promote and secure high-quality sustainable new development. It is aimed at all forms of development, from large strategic developments, public spaces and places, to small extensions to individual homes.
It sets out detailed guidance on the standards included in Chelmsford’s Local Plan for future planning proposals. It also shows how development can go beyond planning policy requirements to create the most sustainable and environmentally friendly development.
This advice note summarises the need for affordable wheelchair-accessible homes, using information from our Housing Register.
It shows the bedroom size of wheelchair accessible accommodation needed for households in the highest housing need. We will update the information in this advice note in June 2026.
You can download the Wheelchair Accessible Homes: Planning Advice Note.