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Essex Planning provides a range of services.

The Spatial Planning Group advises on strategic planning matters such as the East of England Plan, sub-regional strategies, airport and port expansion, and local development framework (LDF) documents published by Essex local planning authorities (LPAs). It also provides a development progress monitoring service to the regional planning body and Essex LPAs.

The Minerals and Waste Planning Group comprises two teams. The Development Policy team is responsible for the minerals and waste development framework (MWDF), production of minerals and waste policy documents (MDD and WDD), and the statement of community involvement (SCI).

The Development Management team handles planning applications for minerals and waste development and the County Council?s own development proposals. All applicants are encouraged to make early contact with this team to discuss their development proposals and to confirm the form and content of their planning applications.

Essex Planning works in partnership with the Local Strategic Partnership and many other organisations and authorities. It is committed to increasing public involvement with the planning system.

Frequently asked questions

• What public consultations are taking place on the Minerals and Waste Development Framework at the moment?
• How will Essex be affected by the 2012 Olympics?
• How do I make a planning application for a home or business?
• How do I make a planning application for minerals and waste development?
• How do I make a planning application for a County Council development?
• How can I tell you what I think about the Planning service and the Planning website?
• What career opportunities are there with Essex Planning?
• What planning services are available online?
• How can I view or purchase aerial photographs?
• What is common land?
• How can I find where is at risk of flooding?
• Where can I find a map of Conservation Areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Essex?
• How can I check if there is contaminated land in my area?
• How can I find whether a tree in my garden is covered by a Tree Preservation Order?
• I live in an old house; how do I know whether it is a listed building, and what restrictions there are on development if so?
• I'm thinking of developing a piece of land I own; how can I check whether there are any restrictions on permitted development?