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From countryside and coast to family fun with The Gruffalo and Stick Man, there’s something for everyone at Essex Country Parks.

Explore Essex is kickstarting the New Year with a campaign to help get the county’s residents out and about and embracing the great outdoors in 2026.

The new Explorer Pass campaign offers residents 12 reasons to visit the Essex Country Parks located across the county.

From countryside to coast, the eight Essex Country Parks offer something for all ages. From walks through ancient woodlands and seaside strolls to officially licensed trails featuring The Gruffalo and Stick Man.

The campaign features 12 ideas for residents to enjoy a great day out throughout 2026, such as:

1. Wander in ancient woodlands at the historic sites of Belhus Woods, Danbury, Thorndon and Weald Country Parks. Enjoy bluebell walks, nature trails and ancient woodlands and experience the changing seasons, from the first growths in spring to stunning autumnal displays.
2. Take a moment to reflect by a lake at Belhus Woods, Danbury, Great Notley, Thorndon and Weald Country Parks and enjoy the peace and quiet. Disconnect from digital devices and the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience a moment of tranquillity.
3. Meander along a sea wall or take a waterside walk at Cudmore Grove, Hadleigh and Marsh Farm Country Parks. From beachside walks to accessible waterside pathways, there’s something for everyone. 
4. Stroll through stunning historic parkland and discover the heritage that makes Danbury, Thorndon and Weald Country Parks sites a must visit in 2026. Each park is steeped in history, with Thorndon and Weald Country Parks offering heritage trails for those who want to step back in time.
5. Ramble through wildflower meadows when the weather warms up and discover the rare flowers and plants found at Belhus Woods, Danbury, Hadleigh, Great Notley, Marsh Farm, Thorndon and Weald Country Parks. Pack a picnic and enjoy a family friendly day out amongst the flora and fauna.
6. Take a breath with a view and enjoy the wide sweeping vistas at Cudmore Grove, Hadleigh, Marsh Farm, Thorndon and Weald Country Parks. Perfect for those who love wide open landscapes.
7. Enjoy accessible routes and surfaced paths whatever your age or ability at Danbury, Great Notley, Hadleigh and Weald Country Parks.
8. Visit Essex’s longest play trail at Great Notley or let younger family members swing, swoop and slide at the children’s play areas at Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove and Weald Country Parks.
9. Explore the dog agility courses at Belhus Woods and Thorndon Country Parks with your furry friend. Take them on an adventure and let them experience the different landscapes each park offers.
10. Delight in the magical Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler themed trails of The Gruffalo at Thorndon and Stick Man at Weald Country Parks. Search for the hand-crafted carvings of much-loved characters from the bestselling picture books and set imaginations free.
11. Keep on running, pick a parkrun near you at Cudmore Grove, Hadleigh and Great Notley Country Parks and embrace a ‘New Year, new you’ healthy lifestyle in 2026.
12. Experience nature in all its glory and spend time listening to the sounds of the local wildlife or get up close and feed the ducks and deer. Also, discover the works taking place due to the Countryside Stewardship Landscape Restoration programme to boost biodiversity and strengthen habitats for rare, declining and protected species for the future.

Councillor Mark Durham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for the Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “From coastal marshes to ancient woodlands, the Essex Country Parks offer a great day out for all ages. Whether visiting play trails consisting of much-loved children’s book characters or discovering the fascinating heritage of the historic parks, there’s something for everyone.

“I’d encourage the county’s residents and visitors to kickstart 2026 and get out and about in Essex Country Parks and enjoy all that they have to offer.”

The Explorer Pass offers year-round free car parking at all the Essex County Council managed country parks, with some café discounts too. This January, purchasers will receive 13 months for the price of 12. To buy an Explorer Pass and access the special offer, use code Jan26.

For more information, visit: www.explore-essex.com/explorer-pass.

Cllr Peter Schwier  ISEP

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Chair, East of England Regional Climate Change Forum  

Regulation 18 – Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

Our current adopted Local Plan is over 5 years old and planned to deliver 716 homes a year. National Government has set a new mandatory target requiring the Council to deliver around 1,300 homes per year. A review of the current plan is being undertaken as a Revised Local Plan will help address this challenge so that we can retain control of where we would like to see growth and protect the places where growth would not be sustainable.

Following our previous public consultation to help identify issues and options, we are now publishing our Preferred Options for public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. A Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment accompany the document.

How to View the Consultation Documents:

Online: www.braintree.gov.uk/ConsultLPBraintree District Council Offices, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree (during usual working hours)Public libraries across the District (during usual working hours)

How to Respond:

Consultation responses are strongly encouraged directly via the Councils online consultation system. Please contact us if you have forgotten the username or password for your account.

Online: www.braintree.gov.uk/ConsultLP

For those unable to respond online:

Forms can be requested from the Planning Policy Team (see contact details below)Paper response forms are available at Braintree District Council Offices, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree and from public libraries.

The Consultation Period: Tuesday 3rd March to 5pm Friday 17th April. Late responses will not be accepted.

Consultation Events:

As part of the consultation, exhibitions are being held across the District. These are drop in sessions which are being held from 3pm to 7pm at the following locations;

Hatfield Peverel Village Hall – Monday 9th March The Institute, Kelvedon – Tuesday 10 March Coggeshall Village Hall (Main Hall) – Wednesday 11 March Braintree Town Hall – Tuesday 17 March Queens Hall, Halstead – Wednesday 18 March Cressing Sports and Social Club – Thursday 19th March

Information on all areas will be available at all sessions.

Webinar:

We are holding a virtual webinar on Microsoft Teams where our Planning Policy team will outline what the Local Plan is, what it covers, explain the consultation process, and highlight how the Local Plan will shape the future of the district:

Tuesday 24th March from 6pm-7pm. Register or visit our website.

The webinar will be recorded and shared on Local Plan Review webpage for anyone who is unable to attend on the day.

What Happens Next:

Following the consultation, we will consider all the comments and redraft the document to take account of the responses. Once agreed by Council the pre-submission document will then be published for a final public consultation period before it is submitted to the Planning Inspector later this year.

Further Reading:

A summary document to accompany the consultation is available Government guidance requires that sound evidence is required to support a Local Plan. Our Evidence Base Documents can be found on the Council’s website For more information on the Local Plan Review: www.braintree.gov.uk/localplanreview

Kind regards

Planning Policy Team
planningpolicy@braintree.gov.uk

Braintree District Council
Causeway House
Bocking End
Braintree
CM7 9HB
01376 552525 and ask for planning policy

The Rural Community Council of Essex are advertising two workshops around online space and how it impacts on children and young people and older people, These sessions have available dates in January and February 2026.

One is aimed at helping parents to better understand what is meant by mis and disinformation, recognise hate online and ways to talk to children about what they are seeing online.

The other workshop is concerned with older adults and how to help them to learn about the common tricks used in misleading posts, viral rumours and emotionally charged content as well as how scams, fraud, and misinformation often overlap – and of course how to keep themselves safe.

Please see the below for more information and how to sign up.

Essex County Council has welcomed news that Uttlesford District Council has granted planning permission to expand Stansted Airport.

This permission will allow up to 51 million passengers per annum. This is an increase of nearly eight million a year.

The announcement is transformative for Essex. The council recognises the role that London Stansted Airport plays in the Essex economy. It is a vital economic catalyst and a channel for foreign investment, tourism and trade. The airport is also the largest single site employer in the East. 

The announcement will:

• lead to the creation of 4,100 new jobs (£366 million GVA). In the short term it will generate a further 150 jobs during construction
• help an additional 7.2 million travellers use Stansted Airport
• generate an estimated £1.2 billion in UK GVA from 0.5 million extra business passengers
• provide major tourism benefits from additional international visitors. This will support over 15,000 jobs, £0.8 billion GVA and 2.2 million extra leisure trips for UK residents

The benefits for Essex and the wider region are considerable for both businesses and residents. These include:

• easier and wider access to markets for businesses
• increase the county’s attractiveness for increased foreign direct investment
• lead to the transfer of knowledge, skills, technology and increased productivity
• increase destination options, supporting the tourism industry in Essex and offering more travel opportunities

Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, said: “The expansion of the airport will help our economy thrive. It will deliver jobs, boost businesses and support investment into the region. By providing adequate infrastructure, housing growth in our county will also be supported.

“This is welcome news and we look forward to working closely with the Manchester Airport Group as delivery progresses.”

Cllr Peter Schwier  ISEP

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Chair, East of England Regional Climate Change Forum

 Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier

As the Christmas season begins and celebrations increase across Essex, the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) is releasing a new festive safety message, “Don’t Bet on Drink Driving”, urging people to look after their friends and family, by stopping drink driving before it starts.

Using a bold gambling theme, it shows that driving after drinking is a risky gamble with everything to lose. It highlights a key risk for anyone who relies on their vehicles for work: a drink-driving conviction can mean instant loss of licence, loss of employment, seizure of tools or vehicles, and long-term financial impact.

A supporting part of the SERP’s ambition to deter drink driving over Christmas is Essex Police’s confidential “Help Us Help You” function, which allows the public to discreetly flag concerns about anyone they believe may be considering driving under the influence.

Additionally, bar staff, restaurant teams, and fellow revellers are being asked to spot when someone is about to drink drive. The Report It function gives Essex Police live information, and they can intervene where appropriate. Officers cannot be everywhere, but the public can.

Will Cubbin, Partnership Manager at the SERP, said: “This time of year is all about looking out for one another. Our message is simple: if you think someone you care about is about to drive after drinking, don’t stay silent. Stepping in, or reporting it confidentially, could save a life. It’s not about getting someone in trouble, it’s about keeping them, and everyone else, safe on the roads this Christmas.”

In Essex, the scale of drink and drug driving harm is clear. Since January 2016, the county has recorded 1,503 injury collisions involving drink driving, including 33 fatal crashes and 593 serious injuries, and the Christmas period continues to bring a spike in arrests, with 1,556 in the last year.  

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, added: “Every December, we see an increase in drink-driving related collisions across Essex, and sadly, the harm that follows. The consequences are devastating, for drivers, passengers, and innocent people on our roads. Essex Police will continue to have a strong presence across the county throughout the festive period, identifying those that choose to drink drive. Drink driving will not be excusable, if you are stopped, you will face the consequences.”

“Don’t Bet on Drink Driving” reinforces one message across the Christmas period: if someone is about to make a dangerous choice, step in. If you can’t, report it quietly. You could save a life.

One message could save a life this Christmas. If you believe some is anyone is about to drink drive call 999.

If you believe someone is about to drive under the influence, you can report a drink or drug driver confidentially, visit: https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/help-us-help-you/.

For more information on “Don’t Bet on Drink Driving”, visit: www.saferessexroads.org/dont-bet-on-drink-driving

Crews will be carrying out a huge programme of works this month and beyond

A major programme of road repairs is underway across Essex to fix damage caused by the cold and wet weather this winter.

This follows Essex County Council’s recent announcement of an extra £6 million in highways repairs and improvements.

This will be invested alongside the annual £102 million highways budget for 2026/27. This means more money is now being spent maintaining the county’s roads than ever before.

Extra crews and specialist vehicles will join existing teams already tackling the issues that matter most to residents.

These include permanent patching and pothole repairs, plus crews to deal with drainage defects which will help prevent highway flooding.

Repairs will use a jet patcher machine, which fires repair material into potholes at high pressure, which can also be used on rural roads.

High-performance machinery will create drainage channels (‘grips’) in rural road verges. This will help quickly remove water from the road surface, preventing surface water flooding and potholes.

Work is already being delivered in March through the council’s Members’ Highways Initiative. Road and pavement repairs through the programme will be carried out across 100 sites.

Councillor Mark Platt, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport said: “We’ve listened to our local communities, and we know that repairing roads is the top priority. That’s why we’ve invested additional funds to help tackle these issues on the county’s roads.

“While we have a year-round programme of highway maintenance, that task is severely challenged when we have the combined effects of very cold and wet weather which creates the perfect conditions for potholes and other road defects.

“This investment will help us carry out even more of those repairs, helping to make everyone’s journeys around the network smoother and easier.”

The programme of work will continue for the next few months and will also include resurfacing work as soon as drier conditions allow.

Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

 Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Braintree District Council have just shared information regarding the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex.

Yesterday the Government announced a public consultation on four proposals for new unitary councils in Greater Essex. In future, these will replace the current two-tier system, where services are delivered by district and county councils. Town and parish councils are not directly affected.

This is a significant moment for all, not just the Braintree district but Greater Essex. The fact that all four proposals which were submitted to the Government earlier this year are going out to public consultation shows the confidence the Government has in our collective ability to deliver real, positive change.  

It’s also testament to the close collaboration between councils during the development of the proposals and the shared commitment to creating a more effective, responsive and empowered local government with the voices of our communities at the heart of it.

The Government’s consultation on all four proposals is now open and will run until Sunday 11 January 2026. Details about how to take part are available on the joint Greater Essex LGR Hub website: https://www.essexlgrhub.org/stronger-greater-essex.

Responses can also be shared via email to: LGRconsultationresponse@communities.gov.uk or by post to: LGR Consultation, Fry Building 2NE, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.

I would encourage you all to take part and share your views. The results of the consultation will help inform the government to decide a preferred option on how local government is structured in Greater Essex, which is expected in Spring 2026. New unitary councils are scheduled to go live in April 2028.

A new Essex County Council bus service is now running at Chelmsford Park and Ride sites.

The official Park and Ride buses are run by First. The £3.10 day ticket, which is £1.60 for concessionary pass holders, covers parking and the bus ride to and from the city centre. 

At Sandon, the service 700 ticket will soon activate the exit barrier from the car park. Currently, service 700 buses running from Sandon will board passengers from within the site.

At Sandon there is also a commercial 701 service which runs from outside the site. The ticket for that service covers the bus ride but not parking at the Essex County Council site. 

If passengers chose not to buy an official Essex County Council Park and Ride ticket on a First bus, parking must be purchased separately at a cost of £3.60.  Payment for parking can be made by following the instructions posted on site. Bus users are asked to factor this into travel planning if they choose to take the 701 commercial service.

The best value journey is on the official 700 Park and Ride bus provided by First. Passengers can hop on a First bus and keep their ticket safe to exit the car park.

Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

See information below.

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to share their views on the priorities for Essex County Council’s 2026/27 budget.

Next year, the council will spend over £2 billion. This will include funding for essential services and investment in our county’s infrastructure and future growth.  

The council is asking for views on the key issues facing Essex. Responses to the consultation will help shape services and plan for the future. 

The budget consultation survey can be completed online and closes on Monday 15 December. 

Across the country, households and businesses are feeling financial pressures. Alongside this, the financial outlook for Essex County Council, and for local authorities in general, is highly uncertain.

While the council has a strong track record of financial management, securing £192 million in savings over the past five years, it is not immune from financial pressures. 

These financial pressures are increasing because: 

• there are increasingly complex demands on our services as well as more people needing our support each year
• the costs of providing services have increased – partly due to inflation, and partly as a result of changes in the law

The council faces the impacts of the economic climate such as high inflation and high interest rates, as well as the cost-of-living situation, while waiting for the outcome of the government’s Fair Funding review, and a multi-year funding settlement.

The survey asks residents and businesses their thoughts on: 

• the big issues we face and the challenges that lie ahead for Essex.
• the things that concern you and your family
• where we should focus resources as we work to improve lives across our county

Councillor Chris Whitbread, the Chancellor of Essex, said: “While there is no doubt we are facing budget pressures, I am pleased to say that Essex County Council remains in a strong and stable place.

“It’s no secret that local government finances are under pressure nationwide. But here in Essex, our careful planning and disciplined approach are paying off.

“However, we must continue to look to do things differently and build upon our strong record of financial management to continue to secure better value for money for Essex taxpayers. 

“We want residents and businesses to help us shape how we respond to the pressures we are facing, and I would urge them to take part in our consultation.”

Currently Greater Essex is also in the process of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA). This will result in a directly elected Mayor from May 2026.

The Mayor will pick up some responsibilities from Essex County Council. Any related feedback from the survey will be used in planning for the MCCA. 

Take part in the consultation at: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/rci/ecc-budget-consultation-2026-27/

Cllr Peter Schwier  ISEP

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Chair, East of England Regional Climate Change Forum