Views sought on electric vehicle charging policy for new developments

August 1, 2021

Following the implementation of a new interim electric vehicle charging policy in respect of planning developments, the council is seeking residents’ views on what its long-term policy should be for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The council’s cabinet recently agreed to implement an interim policy which encourages developers to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure in any new developments providing 10 or more car parking spaces. In addition to the interim policy, cabinet approved plans to launch a four-week consultation for a supplementary planning document, which would give the council greater powers in relation to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Subject to responses on the consultation, the supplementary planning document would require all new residential properties with an accompanying car parking space to provide a charge point, not just major developments. It also proposes a standard for charge points in commercial development that would step up over time, as more people move over to using electric vehicles.

The Council declared a Climate Emergency in September 2019 and electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a priority action within the council’s Green City Action Plan, which sets out a plan to work towards net zero carbon emissions.

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture, tourism and planning, said: “Year-on-year we are seeing more vehicle owners turn to electric vehicles. As the local authority, we have a legal duty to carry out work which will help reduce carbon emissions, something that was explicitly highlighted in our Green City Action Plan.

“Whilst the interim policy will encourage the increase of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the Borough, the public consultation for the supplementary planning document proposes much stronger powers to ensure developers contribute to the increase of electrical vehicle infrastructure.

“Reducing carbon emissions across the town to help us reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 is something we as a council are committed to achieving, but we know we cannot do this alone. We need developers, schools, residents and businesses to all play their part in this. I look forward to hearing what the public have to say on this important issue.”

The public consultation is now live until Tuesday 31 August and can be found on the Your Say Southend website.