The updated Local Plan will guide growth in the district up to 2043 and is currently progressing through the planning process. A recent Local Plan Sub-Committee meeting heard that more than 2,700 comments were submitted during the Issues and Options consultation. The evidence collected will be used to support future planning decisions and help ensure the plan can withstand independent examination. The council expects to present the pre-submission version of the Local Plan, known as the Regulation 19 stage, to Full Council in September. Gabrielle Spray, councillor responsible for planning, said: “We remain fully committed to delivering an updated Local Plan for Braintree district and continuing to make strong progress towards that goal.