Colchester Submission Draft Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation 2026

Ends on 13th October 2026 (46 days remaining)

5. Green Network and Waterways

5.1Green 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 national 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. 

5.2This 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.

5.3The green network and waterways are multifunctional and have 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.

5.4Various 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 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 Colchester Orbital (1) Enhanced Open Space Provision (2)

Major residential development proposals must demonstrate, in a Green Network and Waterways Plan, that new multifunctional open space(s) constituting at least 10% of the gross site area is included in the proposals, subject to site characteristics and design. The open space(s) must meet any relevant criteria in Place policies, be informed by an appraisal of local context and have regard to the following guiding principles for open spaces:

  1. They will be multifunctional and help to create greener, beautiful, healthier, and more prosperous neighbourhoods, with a thriving nature network.
  2. Support sustainable drainage and help places adapt to climate change;
  3. Address gaps in provision to create a coherent green network.
  4. Include a varied mix of types and sizes that can provide a range of functions and benefits and, where appropriate, include ‘play on the way’ features/trails.
  5. Enable people to experience and connect with nature, and seek to offer access to good quality parks, green spaces, recreational, walking and cycling routes, including the Colchester Orbital where appropriate, that are inclusive, safe, welcoming, well-managed, accessible and encourage active travel.
  6. Are designed to be accessible and inclusive to a wide range of ages and abilities appropriate to the nature and status of the site.
  7. 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.
  8. Where appropriate, support physical activity through the provision of supporting infrastructure such as seating, toilets and cycle parking etc.
  9. 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

5.5Open spaces are important for the health and wellbeing of communities and can deliver wider benefits such as benefits for nature, reduction in the causes and impacts of flooding 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 comply 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. Where a Green Network and Waterways Plan is required, a single plan may be submitted to address the requirements of Policies ST2 and GN1. The Plan does not have to be a stand-alone document and may be incorporated within a Design and Access Statement or masterplan document.

5.6The 10% gross site area open space requirement has been consistency applied in Colchester over many years. It represents a proportionate, flexible and deliverable approach to securing on‑site open space across a wide range of development types. Some of the Place policies in this Plan introduce a requirement for ‘Enhanced Open Space’ as shown on the policies map. For these sites it is considered that the location and amount of development allocated would only be acceptable with the enhanced open space provision.

5.7SuDS and other related requirements such as SANG and BNG can contribute towards the open space provision (referred to as layering) providing that the open space demonstrates multifunctionality and meets the principles, size and quality standards of all elements. Open spaces should not be dominated by SuDS provision, particularly deep basins that lack other functions.

5.8There 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.

5.9 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.

5.10 Access to green space should aim to be maximised, incorporating features such as rest points, appropriate lighting, passive surveillance, clear wayfinding and step free routes where appropriate. Integrating or connecting green space along active travel routes is also important to create healthy environments that encourage people to travel sustainably.

Policy GN2: Strategic Green Spaces and Nature Recovery Comment View map Roman River Corridor

The Council will support the delivery of large scale strategic open spaces, habitat creation and restoration of wildlife rich habitats that deliver 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. Within the LNRS strategic opportunity areas, proposals should demonstrate a positive contribution to LNRS priorities.

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

5.11Policy GN2 provides a spatial framework for directing and supporting nature recovery. It does not alter the biodiversity assessment or net gain requirements set out in Policies EN2 and EN3.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 the 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.

5.12The Essex 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. These areas are evidence led and intended to guide and inform decision making rather than act as policy designations. The Essex LNRS interactive webmap is available to view on Essex County Council’s website: Greater Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

5.13The Roman River corridor nature recovery area is specifically referred to in Policy GN2 and shown on the policies map. This area is identified in the Essex LNRS as a strategic opportunity area for woodland, grassland, freshwater standing water and freshwater river buffers. A multi-parish nature green space / local nature recovery corridor is promoted by Aldham, Great Tey and Marks Tey Parish Councils. 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 corridor. Marks Tey’s Neighbourhood Plan includes a ‘green corridor’ which brings in the Roman River.

Policy GN3: Local Green Spaces Comment View map Local Green Space

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.

  1. Land at Middlewick Ranges
  2. Mount Bures village green

Local Green Spaces are also designated in neighbourhood plans and are shown on the policies map. Neighbourhood Plan Local Green Space designations have the same policy status as Local Plan policies once the Neighbourhood Plan is made.

Development within Local Green Spaces will be assessed in a manner consistent with Green Belt policy in the NPPF. Development will not be approved except in very exceptional circumstances.

Justification

5.14The purpose of the policy is to designate green spaces of particular importance to communities as Local Green Space which complies with the requirements of the NPPF. This affords a high level of protection consistent with that for Green Belt.

5.15The policy also draws attention to the Local Green Spaces designated in some of Colchester’s adopted neighbourhood plans. Future neighbourhood plans may designate new Local Green Space. The following Local Green Spaces are designated in neighbourhood plans, with justification included in the relevant neighbourhood plan:

  • Lorkin Daniell Field, West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan
  • Poors Land, West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan
  • Marks Tey Parish Council Recreation Ground, Marks Tey Neighbourhood Plan
  • Colne Park Estate Play Area and Recreation Ground, Marks Tey Neighbourhood Plan
  • Pond and seating area by Little Tey Church, Marks Tey Neighbourhood Plan
  • Park Lane Local Nature Reserve & Amenity Land, Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan
  • Grove Road Playing Field, Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan
  • Grove Lake, Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan
  • Windmill Green, Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan
  • Birch Wood, Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan
  • Ferry Marsh, Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan
  • Land opposite Millfields primary school, Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan

5.16Land at Middlewick Ranges is in close proximity to the community it serves, being surrounded on three sides by housing; local in character and not an extensive tract of land; and demonstrably special to the local community with a particular local significance because of its recreational and wildlife value. Middlewick Ranges is also part of the Southeast Plateau strategic biodiversity area, protected through Policy ST2. Within strategic biodiversity areas, opportunities to strengthen and enhance habitat connectivity will be supported.

5.17Mount Bures village green lies predominantly within the settlement boundary adjacent to a number of houses and within 400 metres of all the houses in the settlement. The presence and beauty of the green was a central element of the settlement’s success in winning merit awards in the Essex Best Small Village competition in a number of years. The green remains a central and much appreciated feature of the settlement.

Policy GN5: Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace Comment View map Special Protection Area

Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) must be provided where a Habitats 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). For developments of 500 dwellings or more SANG must be provided.

All SANGs that are required should meet the Natural England standard of a minimum of 8 hectares per 1,000 head of new population and comply with the latest Natural England or local SANG guidance.

Justification

5.18The purpose of the policy is to ensure that the provision of SANG follows Natural England’s guidance and meets the Natural England standard of a minimum 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. The effectiveness of SANG as mitigation will depend upon the location and design.

5.19SANG are intended to provide avoidance/mitigation measures for the potential impact of residential development on habitats sites by preventing an increase in visitor pressure. SANG avoid/mitigate the ‘alone’ effects but there is still a need to avoid and mitigate the ‘in-combination’ effects, which can be avoided/mitigated through contribution to the Essex Coast RAMS.

5.20Natural England advises that strategic sites of 500 or more dwellings and smaller developments close to habitats sites will require SANG. SANG may be delivered in a range of forms, including on-site provision, off-site provision, or a combination of both. Where off-site provision is relied upon, this may comprise enhancements to existing green spaces, subject to demonstrating sufficient capacity through visitor surveys or data analysis, or the conversion of land in alternative uses, such as agricultural or private land, supported by appropriate design, change of use, and secured long-term management arrangements.

5.21Natural 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 updates or successor SANG guidance, which could include local SANG guidance developed for Essex. Applicants should consult Natural England via their pre-application service for bespoke advice on SANG proposals.

Policy GN6: Retention of Open Space Comment Allotments Oaks Drive, Colchester (1) Open Space (2)

Policy GN6 applies solely to proposals involving the loss, reduction or change of use of existing open space. Requirements for the provision, quality and management of new open space are set out in Policy GN1.

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:

  1. Alternative and improved provision will be created in a location well related to the functional requirements of the relocated use and accessible to its existing and future users; and
  2. 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:

  1. There is an identified excess provision within the catchment of the facility, and no likely shortfall is expected within the plan period; or
  2. 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, which contribute to Colchester’s green network will not be permitted.

Justification

5.22The purpose of Policy GN6 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 national policy. 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.

5.23Whilst open space is often interpreted to include outdoor sports facilities, especially playing fields, proposals affecting outdoor sports facilities including playing fields will be assessed against Policy CS4: Sports Provision.

5.24The impact of loss of open space will not be solely assessed on the quantity lost. Other considerations including the accessibility of the space for multiple users, biodiversity that is present, the space’s connection to others in the wider green network will be taken into account in decision-making.

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