Your latest update from KAUS; 24th July 2026

Following the deadline for the Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation in early May, Braintree District Council stated that 'around 1,800 responses were received' and that they would be reviewing all the comments and evidence submitted and using this 'to inform the next stage of the local plan'.

Unfortunately, none of the comments have been made available to the public at the time of this newsletter being produced; yet BDC have stated that the next formal stage, known as Regulation 19, is expected this Summer/Autumn. Given that residents will be invited to comment on the updated local plan at this stage, we hope that the 1,800 comments are published in full as a matter of priority.

KAUS have also been keeping an eye on BDC's planning committee meetings for any relevant development proposals. We understand that the next local plan sub committee meetings are due to take place on 30th July and 17th September; members of the public can register to speak at these meetings, so once we are aware of the agenda, we will write again if action is required.

KAUS would like as many people who have objected before to the Monks Farm 600 houses application 21/03579/OUT to reiterate their concerns, and/or to register new objections, given ongoing and developing local issues such as water shortages, traffic conditions and loss and damage to wildlife and our countryside.

Log on to the Braintree District Council planning portal to reaffirm their previous objections or alternatively, send an email to planning@braintree.gov.uk

Here’s an example of what you could say (though, please feel free to use your own words entirely, or to add to this)

I would like to reaffirm my previous objections to 21/03579/OUT and I would like to further object to this development because the cumulative impact on local infrastructure has not been properly assessed.

Essex County Council has this month confirmed that Anglian Water underestimated the capacity of the existing water network to supply the Rivenhall incinerator, resulting in additional pressure on the local water system and reduced water pressure for many residents in the local area.

This raises serious concerns about whether the infrastructure assessments supporting Kings Dene, Monks Farm and the Crown Estates development can be relied upon.

Thousands of new homes, together with the proposed greenhouse development at Rivenhall Airfield, would place even greater demands on water supplies, sewage treatment, roads, schools and healthcare. Essex is already one of the driest counties in England, and climate change is expected to increase water shortages.

Before any of these developments are approved, Braintree District Council should require a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impact of all proposed developments on local infrastructure, together with firm evidence that the necessary upgrades will be delivered before new homes are occupied.

Planning decisions should be based on proven infrastructure capacity, not optimistic assumptions. Until this can be demonstrated, these applications should be refused.

Yours faithfully,

[FULL NAME, ADDRESS AND POSTCODE]

Short on time, don't know where to start or thought of something new you want to object to? KAUS have set up a dedicated app utilising AI to help you with your objection to Monks Farm.

1. Simply click on the blue button below and you'll be redirected.

2. Add a few words about what you'd like your objection points (eg. traffic congestion, pollution, strain on school places, overcrowded trains, loss of green space for walking my dog) and you'll be presented with more detailed wording based around your concerns.

3.   Have a read through, make sure you add your name and address to the bottom of the text and then you can then just copy it all onto your email or however you decide to send your objection to BDC. The email address is planning@braintree.gov.uk

    Easy!

Click here to try the Monks Farm objection assistance tool

BANNERS & POSTERS UPDATE

"NO TO KINGS DENE - 5000 HOUSES"

Do you have a great place to display one of our banners? We have a limited number of banners available at no cost to you, so if so, please email us at info@kaus.org.uk and we can provide you with collection details.

Existing banners and signage - if you are kindly displaying one of our A4 posters along the High Street or a high footfall area and it's looking a bit faded, please email us and we can arrange for a smart new replacement to be delivered to you!

EVIDENCE GATHERING - HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Traffic and road safety concerns - please send us your photos of traffic and congestion; we are collating these to corroborate some of the findings from the traffic report we recently commissioned. Photos can be added to our Facebook page or emailed to us at info@kaus.org.uk. Please include the place, date and approximate time if possible.

• Water pressure/supply issues - many local residents have been commenting on posts regarding poor water supply recently. In light of water restrictions imposed on households by Anglian Water, there are very real concerns about how an already strained infrastructure would cope with yet more housing. We would urge residents to keep a record of any water supply issues they experience; records of this can then be shared with KAUS and reported to BDC.

Got a minute? Sign this online petition, asking the government to take stock and reconsider the need and priorities for house building.

Sign the petition here

Bank transfer details:

Kelvedon Against Urban Sprawl

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 43242763.

The KAUS Management Committee is staffed entirely by local residents on a voluntary basis. Fighting inappropriate development proposals for our villages is costly and entirely dependent on donations.

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