I acknowledge the difficulties Southend-on-Sea Borough Council faces in seeking to accommodate its identified housing needs in full. I note the latest estimation of these needs is between 18,000 and 24,000 homes by 2038, and that even by maximising the opportunities to provide these homes within Southend's authority area, any approach is likely to result in a shortfall of between 4,000 and 15,000 homes.
As you acknowledge, both Councils are members of the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) and are actively engaged in the preparation of a Joint Strategic Plan for South Essex. This Joint Strategic Plan is expected to provide a framework for the distribution of growth across South Essex, including how any unmet need from individual authorities can be met elsewhere.
As you are aware, Rochford District Council has its own housing needs of around 7,000 homes over the next 20 years. The Council's latest land availability assessment1 identifies existing capacity for over 3,000 homes in the District, however this supply is clearly insufficient to meet the needs of the District over the next 20 years. Further work will be needed to explore spatial options for accommodating the District's housing needs,
However the Council have noted the findings of the South East Essex Strategic Growth Locations Assessment (SESSGLA) including the opportunity that has been identified to explore a strategic-scale garden community in the land north of Fossetts Farm, Garon Park and Bournes Green Chase.
At this stage, the extent to which Rochford District can accommodate any unmet needs from Southend Borough is not known. However, we would support a programme of further work to explore the scope, capacity and feasibility of establishing a new garden community in the area identified. More generally, we would support continued collaboration between the authorities to explore opportunities to deliver growth in the most sustainable way for our communities, including through the preparation of the South Essex Joint Strategic Plan and the commissioning of joint evidence, such as the Green Belt and Landscape Character Studies currently being prepared.