Southend: More Electric Car Charging Points to be Considered

New housing developments could have to provide electric vehicle charging points if new planning powers are introduced, it has been revealed.

Southend Council will consider a report on introducing more electric vehicle charging points at a cabinet meeting next week.The council declared a climate emergency in September 2019, with electric vehicle charging infrastructure being made a priority within the council’s green city action plan.

More electric car charging points could be introduced if new policy agreed.The plan sets out a five-year plan to work towards net zero carbon emissions.The cabinet report, which will be considered next Tuesday (June 15), is split into two parts.

The first part will consider an interim policy which would provide the planning department with greater powres to encourage developers to include additional electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

This would apply to any new developments providing 10 or more car parking spaces.

The second part recommends a four-week consultation period for a supplementary planning document which, if approved, would require mandatory electric vehicle charging on any new development rather than just encouraging it through the interim policy.

Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, business, culture 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.

“If approved, the interim policy will give planning officers greater influence in regard to electric vehicle charging points for all new developments. If we do, as recommended, proceed with a public consultation for the supplementary planning document, we could have 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 as an authority alone.

We need developers, schools, residents and businesses to all play their part in this. I look forward to discussing the report in full with my fellow Cabinet colleagues.”

Source: maldonandburnhamstandard