Essex churches should not miss the chance to be part of the local plan, a leading member of the Chelmsford Diocese has claimed.

With 300,000 new homes estimated to be built in East London and Essex over the next 20 years a Church of England regeneration adviser is urging clergy and church-goers to get involved in local authority plans.

A local plan sets out planning policies and identifies how land is used, determining what will be built where.

“It is vital to get involved in consultations on local plans at the earliest stage,” argues Carol Richards, mission in regeneration adviser with Chelmsford Diocese.

“Churches have a significant role in providing activities to meet community needs from toddlers through every stage of life.

“But local planning authorities often omit to mention places of worship in their plans.

“If clergy and church-goers don’t mention churches, who will?

“I am advising church people to respond to the consultation on the local plan as individuals.

“This is because every response counts but a response from a church group only counts as a single response.”

The National Planning Policy Framework takes a positive view of places of worship.

It states that local plans should aim to keep and develop these as part of sustaining healthy communities where people can live well.

“The Garden City principles make it clear that residents should be able to walk to places of worship.

“The local plan is not exactly an action-packed novel to read on the beach but it contains lots of really useful information.

“Don’t let the planning jargon put you off.

“It is hardly surprising that clergy and church-goers have so much to contribute to local authority plans given they live in the local area 24/7.”

Carol’s latest advice, Planning Matters – How churches can be involved in plans for new housing areas can be downloaded from the website of Chelmsford Diocese.