Braintree is a predominately rural District in the north of Essex covering 612 square kilometres. The majority of the population lives within the three towns of the District; Braintree, Witham and Halstead. The District is an advantageous place to live with an attractive rural setting and many historic buildings, nature reserves and local wildlife sites including ancient woodlands. The District is well placed for economic growth with the central and southern portions of the District benefiting from good rail and road links to London, as well as London Stansted Airport and the ports to the east.

Braintree is the largest town followed by Witham and Halstead. In addition to the town centre facilities, the District benefits from the Freeport Designer Outlet Village that attracts shoppers from the wider District and beyond. The areas in proximity to the A120 and A12 are attractive to commuters, with many who reside in the District travelling to Chelmsford, Colchester and London for work.

Braintree District has been one of the fastest growing areas in the country over the past decade. The population of the District is currently approximately 150,000 and is projected to rise substantially by 2033. As life expectancy increases, the age structure is expected to change, with a marked increase in the number and proportion of the population who will be aged 65 and over. The number of one-person households is also expected to increase.

The Braintree District has a wide employment base of mainly small and medium-sized businesses. In 2011, approximately 58,000 residents worked within the District, 15,000 travelled into the District to work and 32,000 travelled from the District to work in the major centres of London, Chelmsford and Colchester. Unemployment and youth employment rates have been falling and are below the national average.

The Council is promoting the Livewell campaign, working together with partner agencies to reduce levels of adult obesity and reduce numbers of hip fractures in the over 65s. Braintree District has the highest rate of excess winter deaths out of all the Districts in Essex. Levels of adult obesity in the District are currently higher than the national average, and levels of physical activity amongst adult residents are lower than the national average and the lowest in Essex. The Council has invested in new and enhanced leisure facilities in the District. In 2014 a new leisure centre with swimming pool and gym opened in Witham.

Braintree District Council	Local guidance	Countywide / Subregional	Not currently available
Local Development Plan
Adopted Local Plan	●
Draft Local Plan	●
Development Viability
Developer Contributions			●
Greater Essex Growth and Infrastructure Framework (GIF)		●
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)			●
Development and Urban Design
Neighbourhood planning	●
Planning Policy	●
Design Guidance			●
Parking Policy			●
Health and Wellbeing
Health Impact Assessment(HIA)		●
Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings		●
National Space Standards		●
Essex Insight Public Health Profile		●
Open Space Appraisal			●
Open Space Strategy	●
Playing Pitch Assessment			●
Climate Change and Flood Risk
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)	●
Water Cycle Study	●
Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP)	●	●
Sustainable Drainage Systems Design Guide		●
Environment Quality
Landscape Character Assessment	●
Green Space Strategy	●
Historic Characterisation	●
Local Wildlife Site Review			●
Conservation Appraisal	●
Transport and Communications Infrastructure
Highways Standards	●
Cycling Strategy		●
Local Transport Plan	●	●
Protected Lanes	●
Economy & Retails
Economic Development Needs Assessment (EDNA)			●
Retail Needs Assessment			●
Housing
Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)	●
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)	●
Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment		●
Green Belt
Green Belt Functions Assessment			●
Green Belt Landscape Assessment			●
Green Belt Boundary Review			●