What's going on?
12 March 2026
From a Local Plan perspective we haven't seen anything new since the last public consultation ended in January and Basildon council published a Consultation Statement.
Whilst it may seen quiet just now, we have to assume that the council is still working to produce a revised version of the plan and to get to the next stage of the process which is a technical Regulation 19 consultation. Their published timetable in this regard says that the consultation should be in the first quarter of 2026 but with just a few weeks of the quarter to go this seems very unlikely. We then hit the pre-election period and the potential of a new administration in May so there are possible more delays or bumps in the road ahead. And then there is Local Government Reorganisation to factor in!
We believe that the council has a lot more work to do to ensure that the emerging Local Plan is sound otherwise it may fail Government examination, so our guess is that progress of the plan will run on for a good while yet. At some point the council will have to publish a revised timetable (called a Local Development Scheme) as that is a legal requirement. That will give us a better view of what's really going on.
Unfortunately matters aren't so quiet when it comes to Green Belt planning applications. Although we have not seen any new applications since last December, those that are already in the system are working their way toward the planning committee for a decision. As of today there are eight such applications in the process for locations in or close to Billericay and you can see them via the link below.
This includes 49 houses on Potash Road for which a decision was deferred at the latest (11 March 2026) planning committee meeting to seek further input from Essex Highways on road capacity and safety matters. The application will go back to the committee in due course.
At the same meeting two major Green Belt applications were disappointedly approved, being 300 houses at Noak Bridge (on the corner of Wash Road and Barleylands Road), and 117 houses on London Road, Wickford. The development in Wickford is outside of our immediate area but the one at Noak Bridge is shown on our maps at the link below. In both cases grey belt was determined and that very special circumstances would also apply due to Basildon council being unable to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply. You can read more about grey belt and very special circumstances on our Resources page.
From a Local Plan perspective we haven't seen anything new since the last public consultation ended in January and Basildon council published a Consultation Statement.
Whilst it may seen quiet just now, we have to assume that the council is still working to produce a revised version of the plan and to get to the next stage of the process which is a technical Regulation 19 consultation. Their published timetable in this regard says that the consultation should be in the first quarter of 2026 but with just a few weeks of the quarter to go this seems very unlikely. We then hit the pre-election period and the potential of a new administration in May so there are possible more delays or bumps in the road ahead. And then there is Local Government Reorganisation to factor in!
We believe that the council has a lot more work to do to ensure that the emerging Local Plan is sound otherwise it may fail Government examination, so our guess is that progress of the plan will run on for a good while yet. At some point the council will have to publish a revised timetable (called a Local Development Scheme) as that is a legal requirement. That will give us a better view of what's really going on.
Unfortunately matters aren't so quiet when it comes to Green Belt planning applications. Although we have not seen any new applications since last December, those that are already in the system are working their way toward the planning committee for a decision. As of today there are eight such applications in the process for locations in or close to Billericay and you can see them via the link below.
This includes 49 houses on Potash Road for which a decision was deferred at the latest (11 March 2026) planning committee meeting to seek further input from Essex Highways on road capacity and safety matters. The application will go back to the committee in due course.
At the same meeting two major Green Belt applications were disappointedly approved, being 300 houses at Noak Bridge (on the corner of Wash Road and Barleylands Road), and 117 houses on London Road, Wickford. The development in Wickford is outside of our immediate area but the one at Noak Bridge is shown on our maps at the link below. In both cases grey belt was determined and that very special circumstances would also apply due to Basildon council being unable to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply. You can read more about grey belt and very special circumstances on our Resources page.
Planning Applications
The latest planning applications for Green Belt sites can be found HERE.
For help on how to respond to a planning application please see HERE.
For help on how to respond to a planning application please see HERE.
Latest Maps
Our maps showing approved and proposed development around Billericay can be seen HERE.
Resources
Information on the Local PlanThe latest summary position on the long history of the Basildon Local Plan can be found here;
Current Situation Historical items from the 2022 withdrawn Local Plan can be found here; 2014 to 2034 Withdrawn Plan Archive |
Join our Facebook GroupOur most up to date activity can be found on our closed Facebook Group - Save Billericay From Housing Developments. Ask to join here;
www.facebook.com/groups/BillericayActionGroup/ |
The aims of BAG
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To protect the Green Belt around Billericay and elsewhere in Basildon Borough from loss through excessive and unjustified development.
To prevent the character of our historic towns from being changed forever. To ensure that any development that does take place is sustainable, with adequate infrastructure and prioritises local needs. We support the need for a new Basildon Local Plan and the need for more housing. But it must be of the right number, the right type and in the right places to best help local people obtain a home of their own. We aim to provide information, help and guidance so that local residents can take action on the Local Pan through consultations, and to submit comments on planning applications. At the end of the day it is down to local people to take part and express their views and concerns. Please support us. Please support your local community. |
Billericay District Residents' AssociationBAG has been part of the Billericay Residents' Association (BDRA) since 2018.
In 2026 the BDRA will have independently (free from politics) represented the residents of Billericay for 100 years, To find out more about joining the BDRA please visit bdra.org/ |
