Rivenhall plans remain under Essex review after call-in refusal

UK News Desk 2026-10-20 10:51 1 min read

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Braintree District Council says it will continue raising residents’ concerns about changes to the Rivenhall Integrated Waste Management Facility after the Secretary of State declined to take over the planning applications. They will now be determined by Essex County Council, the mineral waste planning authority.

Council says the changes have reshaped the scheme

Braintree District Council said it was disappointed by the decision. It had asked for the applications to be called in because it believes the proposed amendments, considered together, would fundamentally change the development approved in 2010.

The council’s concerns cover the facility’s form, operation and phasing, as well as the environmental assumptions behind the scheme. It said some earlier concerns had been addressed, but it remained concerned about the cumulative effect of the changes.

Rivenhall plans remain under Essex review after call-in refusal

Essex County Council will determine the applications

Braintree first sought a call-in in 2025 and renewed its request in August 2026 after the site owners amended their applications. The Secretary of State’s decision means the applications remain with Essex County Council for determination through the planning process.

Councillor Gabrielle Spray, Braintree’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said the council would continue to represent residents’ interests and ensure the implications of the applications are considered. The next step is for Essex County Council to determine the amended applications.

Source: Braintree District Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and checks

This report follows Braintree District Council’s published account of the call-in decision and the applications’ next planning step.

Checks

Confirmed the Secretary of State declined to call in the applications, as stated by the co...
Checked that Essex County Council remains the determining authority named in the source.
Attributed the concerns about cumulative changes to Braintree District Council.

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