Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
5. Green Network and Waterways
5.1 Green and blue infrastructure is the term frequently used in planning to describe the green network and waterways. However, green and blue infrastructure is not always understood by the public and so the Local Plan uses the term green network and waterways. To be clear, this encompasses the definition of green infrastructure in the NPPF, which is: "A network of multi-functional green and blue spaces and other natural features, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic, health and wellbeing benefits for nature, climate, local and wider communities and prosperity."
5.2 This chapter includes policies on open space. The definition of open space is wide ranging. The national planning practice guidance for open space, sports and recreation facilities states that open space includes all open space of public value and can take many forms, from formal sports pitches to open areas within a development, linear corridors and country parks. Open space can have an ecological and recreational value as well as being an important part of the landscape and setting of built development.
5.3 The green network and waterways are multifunctional and has many benefits across planning. The policies in this chapter will contribute towards all the themes in the vision and promote health and wellbeing. Policies will contribute towards creating healthy, vibrant and diverse places; climate change resilience and adaptation; the creation of welcoming, inclusive communities with high quality public realm; and the creation of well connected communities with reduced congestion and an increase in active travel.
5.4 Various Council teams have worked together to create Guiding Principles for Colchester City's green network and waterways, which are reflected in this chapter. The Guiding Principles were developed through an audit of the city's green network and waterways baseline; public engagement on the condition of the green network and waterways and opportunities to improve the network; and a review of Natural England's Green Infrastructure Principles, Essex County Council's Green Infrastructure Standards, the objectives of the Colchester Woodland and Biodiversity Project and open space and playing pitch strategies.
Policy GN1: Open Space and Green Network and Waterways Principles Comment
Major residential development proposals must demonstrate, in a Green Network and Waterways Plan, that new multifunctional open space(s) of a minimum size of 10% of the gross site area is included in the proposals and must meet any relevant criteria in site allocations policies, be informed by an appraisal of local context and have regard to the following guiding principles for open spaces:
- Are multifunctional and help to create greener, beautiful, healthier, and more prosperous neighbourhoods, with a thriving nature network;
- support sustainable drainage and help places adapt to climate change;
- Address gaps in provision to create a coherent green network;
- Connect as a living network for people and nature across multiple scales from the wider landscape to more local and neighbourhood scales;
- Include a varied mix of types and sizes that can provide a range of functions and benefits and, where appropriate, include street trees, shrubs, planters, green roofs and walls, small green spaces between buildings, gardens, 'play on the way' features/trails and the building blocks as described in the National Model Design Guide[1] ;
- Enable people to experience and connect with nature, and seek to offer access to good quality parks, green spaces, recreational, walking and cycling routes that are inclusive, safe, welcoming, well-managed, accessible and encourage active travel;
- Are designed to be accessible and inclusive to a wide range of ages and abilities appropriate to the nature and status of the site;
- Respond to the area's character so that it contributes to the conservation, enhancement and/or restoration of the historic environment and landscapes and creates new high-quality landscapes and a strong place identity to which local people feel connected;
- Demonstrate how the green space will be managed, maintained and monitored for a minimum of 30 years.
Where residential allocations are identified to provide for 'Enhanced Open Space' as indicated in the Place Policies (and shown on the Policies Map), substantively in excess of 10% of the allocation area must be provided as open space. This should include at least one area of strategic open space and multiple areas of less formal and more incidental open space.
Justification
Purpose of the policy
5.5 Open spaces are important for the health and wellbeing of communities and can deliver wider benefits such as benefits for nature and supporting efforts to address climate change. The purpose of the policy is to ensure the delivery of high-quality multifunctional open spaces that deliver multiple benefits and complies with the Council's Green Network and Waterways Guiding Principles (2024). The requirement for major applications to submit a Green Network and Waterways Plan will demonstrate compliance with this policy and other relevant policies. There are plentiful green and open spaces and waterways throughout Colchester with linkages, corridors, and connections between them. There are opportunities through the Council's various workstreams, including the Local Plan, and work of the Parks and Open Spaces team, to improve linkages, corridors and connections and follow Lawton's principles of bigger, better, more, and better connected.
5.6 The vision in Colchester's Green Network and Waterways Guiding Principles is that Colchester's special and diverse green network and waterways will form a coherent, high quality network providing connections for people and for wildlife. Colchester's green network will be multifunctional and provide benefits for nature, health and wellbeing, prosperity, water management and climate resilience. The existing network will be protected, developed, and enhanced and gaps in provision will be addressed. The Council will work to improve what we have where we can, to ensure that Colchester remains a sustainable, thriving, and greener city for future generations. Colchester is a unique place with a rich heritage and diverse environment and character that includes the city, countryside, and coast. The green network and waterways enables Colchester to be a healthy, vibrant, green and diverse place where people can live active lifestyles.
Alternative
5.7 The alternative is to rely on Natural England's Green Infrastructure Principles and Standards (which are reflected in the policy) rather than producing a local vision, character description and set of guiding principles for Colchester's green network and waterways. These principles and the Essex GI Principles (endorsed by NE) are reflected in the policy and the Council has developed a vision and guiding principles specific to Colchester.
Policy GN2: Strategic Green Spaces and Nature Recovery Comment
The Council will support the delivery of large scale strategic open spaces, habitat creation and restoration of wildlife rich habitats that delivers the strategic opportunities outlined in the Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). The Council will work with landowners and other stakeholders to support the delivery of the Essex LNRS.
All proposals should have regard to achieving the Essex LNRS principles for restoring and enhancing biodiverse and well-functioning ecological networks designed to deliver multiple benefits based on identified need and contribute towards creating and restoring habitats in strategic opportunity areas.
Proposals for a Roman River corridor nature recovery area, as shown on the policies map, will be supported. Any proposals within this area that are not principally related to nature recovery must demonstrate that they will not prevent nature recovery coming forward in the Strategic Opportunity Areas identified in the Essex LNRS and how they will contribute to delivering habitat creation in accordance with the Essex LNRS.
Justification
Purpose of the policy
5.8 The purpose of the policy is to support the delivery of the Essex LNRS and encourage delivery of the strategic opportunity areas. Nature in Essex has suffered significantly over the last century, and continues to suffer, from species loss, habitat loss and increased habitat fragmentation. It is crucial that nature recovery is at the centre of future action for the environment, to create new habitats and recover and enhance space for nature that has been lost or degraded. The role of LNRS is to provide a county-wide, practical solution to driving action for nature recovery on the ground. The primary purpose of the LNRS is to identify locations to create or improve habitat most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
5.9 The LNRS includes areas of particular importance for biodiversity, which includes national conservation sites; local nature reserves; and other areas of particular importance for biodiversity. The key for nature recovery, and the essence of the LNRS, is to provide more space for nature and ensure it is better connected – 'bigger, better and more joined up', as Professor John Lawton has called it. The LNRS contains opportunity maps, showing where and how to deliver the Lawton principles for our most important habitats. The strategic creation opportunity maps highlight the top locations for nature recovery, indicating where efforts will be most beneficial for nature and the wider environment.
5.10 The Roman River corridor nature recovery area is specifically referred to in the policy and shown on the policies map. This area is identified in the draft Essex LNRS as a strategic opportunity area for woodland, grassland, freshwater standing water and freshwater river buffers. A proposal for a multi-parish nature green space / local nature recovery corridor was submitted to the Council by Aldham, Great Tey and Marks Tey Parish Councils as part of the Green Network and Waterways engagement. The corridor includes mature hedgerows and trees, pastureland, floodplain, a reservoir and some arable land. Much of the Roman River is followed by a public right of way. Just to the north of the river is the 'Gainsborough Line', also a linear habitat, with trees the length of it. Marks Tey Brick Pit SSSI, local wildlife sites and ancient woodland are located within the proposed corridor. Marks Tey's Neighbourhood Plan includes a 'green corridor' which brings in the Roman River.
Alternative
5.11 The alternative is to not include reference to the Essex LNRS.However, the LNRS is an important spatial plan for nature recovery and this policy is a mechanism of incorporating it into the Local Plan.
Policy GN3: Local Green Spaces Comment
The following areas, which are shown on the policies map, are designated as Local Green Space. These are green spaces that are demonstrably special to the local community and hold a particular local significance.
- Land at Middlewick Ranges
- Mount Bures village green
Local Green Spaces are also designated in neighbourhood plans and are shown on the policies map.
Proposals for development within Local Green Spaces will only be supported in very special circumstances and considered against policies for the Green Belt as set out in the NPPF.
Justification
Purpose of the policy
5.12 The purpose of the policy is to designate green spaces of particular importance to communities as Local Green Space and comply with the requirements of NPPF paragraph 107. This affords a higher level of protection consistent with that for Green Belt (NPPF paragraph 108). It also draws attention to the local green spaces designated in some of Colchester's adopted neighbourhood plans
Alternative
5.13 The alternative is not to designate Local Green Spaces and not to refer to those Local Green Spaces that are designated through made neighbourhood plans.However, Local Green Spaces provide an additional level of protection for open spaces which are identified as being appropriate for these sites.
Policy GN4: Tree Canopy Cover Comment
A Tree Canopy Cover Assessment will be required for all major applications. Development proposals should seek, where appropriate, to increase the level of canopy cover on site by a minimum of 10%.
For sites where the baseline canopy cover is below 10% of the total site area, applicants must secure a minimum canopy coverage of 10% across the site area.
New and existing trees must be incorporated into new developments and new streets should be tree lined.
Applicants must demonstrate that tree species and planting locations must be selected to enhance biodiversity, support ecosystem services, address environmental challenges, and be compatible with highway considerations.
Tree species must reflect local conditions and management objectives of the specific site. Native planting should be used but consideration given to the inclusion of some non-native non-invasive species that could be suited to changing, warmer conditions.
The maintenance of new trees must be included within any landscape management plan and landscape maintenance schedule for the site for an agreed period of time to ensure establishment.
In circumstances where any of these requirements is not possible or desirable, compensatory provision should be identified and secured through a legal obligation. Compensatory provision will need to be discussed with the case officer on a case-by-case basis and could include provision of an additional or larger open space or tree planting elsewhere.
The Council will support proposals that create pocket forests (also called Miyawaki forests) by planting native trees and shrubs together, to create a compact, biodiversity rich, and ultra-dense environment, where appropriate.
Justification
Purpose of the policy
5.14 The purpose of the policy is to secure an increase in tree canopy cover across Colchester. The importance of vegetation in towns and urban areas is long recognised; it provides shade, evaporative cooling, rainwater interception. It has an influence on other items such as air quality, energy use, biodiversity, and the reduction of the urban heat island effect. It also has positive impacts on human health and mental wellbeing.
5.15 The principal objective of the tree canopy cover assessment is to help understand the urban forest resource, specifically the amount of tree canopy that exists on an individual site at present. Canopy cover assessments provide a more accurate representation than simply counting the number of trees. Represented as a percentage of the area in total it is then much more accurate to show changes in the cover (increase or decrease).
Alternative
5.16 The alternative is to require a higher level of tree canopy cover – 20%. The study, The Canopy Cover of England's Towns and Cities: baselining and setting targets to improve human health and well-being, carried out in 2017, concluded that an average tree canopy cover of 20% should be set as the minimum standard for most UK towns and cities.
Policy GN5: Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace Comment
Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) must be provided where the Habitat Regulations Assessment identifies a need for it to provide alternative greenspace to divert visitors from visiting sensitive sites such as the Colne and Blackwater Estuaries Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
All SANGs that are required must meet the Natural England standard of 8 hectares per 1,000 head of new population and must comply with the latest Natural England SANG guidance.
Justification
Purpose of the policy
5.17 The purpose of the policy is to ensure that the provision of SANG follows Natural England's guidance and meets the Natural England standard of 8 hectares per 1000 head of new population. The role of SANG is to provide alternative green space to divert visitors from visiting habitats sites. SANG are intended to provide avoidance measures for the potential impact of residential development on habitats sites by preventing an increase in visitor pressure. The effectiveness of SANG as mitigation will depend upon the location and design.
5.18 Natural England has created SANG guidance for the Thames Basin Heaths Planning Zone, which is applicable to SANGs for other habitats sites. The policy requires compliance with this guidance and any future SANG guidance.
Alternative
5.19 The alternative is to include detailed criteria for the provision of SANGs rather than refer to the latest Natural England guidance.However, reference to the latest guidance ensures the policy remains up to date throughout the plan period.
Policy GN6: Retention of Open Space Comment
The Council will retain, protect and enhance existing open spaces and secure additional open spaces where deficiencies are identified.
Development, including change of use, of any existing or proposed open space (regardless of whether it is in private or public ownership), including allotments, will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that:
- Alternative and improved provision will be created in a location well related to the functional requirements of the relocated use and its existing and future users; and
- The proposal would not result in the loss of an area important for its amenity or contribution to the green network or to the character of the area in general.
Development proposals resulting in a loss of open space must additionally demonstrate that:
- There is an identified excess provision within the catchment of the facility and no likely shortfall is expected within the plan period; or
- Alternative and improved provision will be supplied in a location well related to the functional requirements of the relocated use and its existing and future users and will be delivered within an acceptable timeframe to be agreed with the Council.
In all cases, development will not be permitted that would result in any deficiencies in open space requirements or increase existing deficiencies in the area either at the time of the proposal or be likely to result in a shortfall within the plan period.
Additionally, development that would result in the loss of any small incidental areas of open space, not specifically identified on the policies map but which contribute to amenity value and the character of existing residential neighbourhoods, and any registered common, heathland or village green or which contribute to Colchester's green network will not be permitted.
Justification
Purpose of the policy
5.20 The purpose of the policy is to ensure the protection of existing and proposed open spaces. The policy sets out the criteria that must be met for proposals that would result in the loss of open space, consistent with paragraph 104 of the NPPF. The NPPF defines open space as 'any open space of public value, including not just land, but also areas of water (such as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs) which offer important opportunities for sport and recreation and can act as a visual amenity'.
Alternative
5.21 The alternative is to rely on the more strategic policies in this section and the NPPF and not include a policy that includes criteria regarding loss of open space. However, it is considered that the detail in this policy is needed to be clear on how proposals involving the loss of open space will be considered.
[1] sustainable drainage systems, green and blue roofs, green walls, rain gardens, swales, features for species, trees in hard landscapes, street furniture and utility structures, traffic-free routes, allotments, orchards, private domestic gardens, green spaces (including parks and burial grounds), more natural spaces (including woodlands, grassland, scrub, and hedgerows), heritage features and the historic environment, blue spaces (including wetlands)
