The housing needs of Essex are anticipated to increase with the county's growing population. By 2040, between 180,000 to 250,000 new homes are planned to be developed in all areas of Essex, leading to a population increase of around 448,000 residents.

As Essex continues to grow and evolve, the role of emergency services in shaping safe, resilient, and well-planned communities becomes increasingly vital. This section outlines a collaborative approach between emergency services, local authorities, developers, and infrastructure providers to ensure that new developments are not only sustainable but also responsive to the needs of public safety. By embedding emergency service considerations early in the planning process and leveraging planning tools such as Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), we can better anticipate future demand, align strategic priorities, and deliver infrastructure that supports healthy and secure living environments across Essex.

In addition to key pieces of local and national strategy linked to development, this guidance is supported by:
• National Planning Policy Framework
• National Crime Prevention Strategy
• Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety
• Future of Essex Vision

Key aims of the collaborative Essex Emergency Services approach:
• Foster strong partnerships between emergency services, local authorities, developers, and infrastructure providers to deliver safe, secure, and sustainable developments. This is supported through the Emergency Services Planning Protocol.
• Establish a proactive, consistent, and informed early response to the increased demand on emergency services resulting from new housing and development.
• Align long-term planning aspirations with the evolving demand profiles of Essex Emergency Services, applying collaborative and technical solutions wherever possible.
• Provide an evidence-based framework for securing developer contributions to support emergency service infrastructure needs.
• Support the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by promoting the creation of healthy, safe, and resilient communities.

Our objectives and outcomes:
Enhance Collaboration and Promote Shared Understanding
• Strengthen working relationships between emergency services, planning authorities, and developers.
• Provide education and guidance to developers and planners on emergency services safety standards and infrastructure requirements.

Encourage Early Engagement
• Engage with local authorities and developers at the earliest stages of planning, contributing to masterplans and early design processes.
• Establish consultative links to ensure emergency services’ needs are considered early and aligned with long-term strategic development.

Improve Planning Outcomes
• Ensure new developments are safe, accessible, and effectively integrated with emergency response capabilities.
• Maximise the use of Section 106, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) to support emergency services infrastructure.

Drive Innovation and Best Practice
• Explore innovative approaches to planning and emergency preparedness.
• Develop and apply delivery models that respond to increased demand, building a robust evidence base for predictive demand and risk assessment.

Contacts
Essex Police: Strategic.Planning@essex.police.uk
For Secured by Design and Designing out Crime matters: designingoutcrime@essex.police.uk
ECFRS: future.infrastructure.risk@essex-fire.gov.uk
EEAST: planningnotifications@eastamb.nhs.uk