Colchester City Council is set to discuss the Preferred Options for the Local Plan at the Local Plan Committee meeting on 17 February 2025, marking a crucial step in shaping the city’s future. The plan outlines key proposals for housing, transport, green spaces, and economic growth, with a six-week consultation period following the meeting to allow residents to review and provide feedback. This engagement will help refine the final plan to reflect the needs and priorities of the community.
The Preferred Options Local Plan sets out a vision for managing growth while enhancing the quality of life for local communities. It prioritises well-connected green networks, sustainable development, and the protection of Colchester’s heritage, natural environment, and cultural identity. A key recommendation within the draft is the decision not to put forward Middlewick Ranges for housing development, following expert advice from Natural England confirming the site’s nationally significant biodiversity.
While Middlewick Ranges will not be allocated for housing, the council is required to identify other locations to meet the government’s mandatory target of 1,300 new homes per year. The Preferred Options Local Plan sets out potential sites for future housing across Colchester, ensuring growth is carefully planned alongside infrastructure, services, and sustainability. Some of the proposed locations include land in Mersea, Marks Tey, and the city’s northern fringe. These areas will form part of the consultation process, giving residents the opportunity to have their say on where and how new development should take place.
Alongside the protection of key ecological sites, the plan identifies areas for future growth while ensuring a sustainable approach to development. A Strategic Biodiversity Assessment, published with the plan, highlights the most significant areas for conservation across Colchester, including the Roman River Valley, River Colne, Friday Woods, Hilly Fields, and High Woods, among many others. These locations offer valuable opportunities for habitat restoration and environmental enhancement, aligning with the wider Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
To ensure the proposals are sustainable and well-supported by evidence, the council has conducted detailed research, including a Sustainability Appraisal and a Habitats Regulations Assessment. These studies assess the environmental and ecological impacts of the plan, ensuring that growth is balanced with conservation. The council is also working closely with the North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance to ensure future developments support health, wellbeing, and community safety.
Cllr Tim Young, Chair of Colchester City Council’s Local Plan Committee, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Colchester. The Local Plan will shape how our city grows in the coming years, ensuring we provide much-needed housing, infrastructure and employment opportunities while protecting our natural environment and heritage. I encourage all residents to engage in the consultation process so that together we can create a balanced and forward-looking plan for our city.”
The Preferred Options Local Plan and its supporting documents will be published ahead of the 17 February meeting on the council’s website. Journalists and residents will be able to review the full proposals and participate in the consultation once it opens.
