Survey Questions

The location of it and access to green spaces The proximity to london The local shops

Not to be so short-sighted as to build thousands of houses on beautiful green spaces like middlewick

Valuing beautiful green spaces over housing. Not being so over-developed you can't drive/go anywhere without being stuck in traffic for hours Having a sensible refuse policy that doesn't encourage fly-tipping

1. Mix of historic environment with an adapting spatial strategy. 2. Military heritage of Abbey Fields area with the perfect mile and a half 3. Preservation of the Dutch Quarter

Holistic approach to housing; smaller scale development adjoining settlement boundaries rather than large strategic allocations which do not have the infrastructure or respond to the character and appearance of the area. Opportunity to obtain significant financial contributions secured by UU by genuinely CIL compliant requests. None of the requests I as a planning consultant have received from the Council have ever met the relevant criteria for its justification. More emphasis on rural economy; the black-and-white sequential test approach to rural enterprise is rarely relevant. Schemes can be restricted to pattern of scale and growth in that settlement yet generate massive local spending. Reduce the blanket restriction on new small-scale tourism development. As Britain's oldest recording town, with the award winning Colchester Zoo, staycations and tourist economy can not only generate local employment but has the opportunity to contribute to a vibrant town centre economy. Genuine mixed-use development of the old cinema on Crouch Street by actively working with the freeholder.

1. Tourism destination 2. Sports and recreation pioneer 3. Historic environment preserver

1.Middlewick ranges, as a fantastic green open space that needs to be saved from development, as it is one of the most Bio-diverse areas of land in Colchester. There is nothing else to like as successive administrations have ruined this once great town, with there continuous house building, implementation of cycle lanes and complete anti car policy.

1.Saving Middlewick ranges from destruction. 2. To save the city centre as a retail destination and not try and flood it with housing developments, or build more out of town retail units 3. Stop building houses and continuing the ruination of this once great town 4. To stop building stupid rapid bus lane systems and bike lanes that nobody wants.

1.Its wonderful Biodiverse green space (Middlewick) 2.Its historical past 3. its garrison

Colchester has some wonderful surrounding countryside and an awesome history im struggling to find a third as I no longer go into the city in my opinion it has declined in popularity with everyone i know as a shopping town.

To save your green spaces and halt further building into the countryside.

For saving the Middlewick Ranges from development and everyone sees what a wise decision it was.

Not much

First thing is to remove Middlewick Ranges from the Local Planning it should never be used for one house let alone 1000+. It’s an area of outstanding natural diversity and clearly should be designated as an SSSI or similar. The total species both flora and fauna and its rare acid grassland CAN NOT be moved or protected with any building and consequent numbers of people rubbish cars and pollution that ALWAYS is a consequence of new residential estates. Further this side of Colchester has very poor amenities and serious problems with flooding at the HYTHE which has never been resolved and adding 2000 more cars trying to get into out of or around town will cause levels of pollution to be unsustainable and I’m sure the sewage facilities are probably not sufficiently suitable either. I also need to stress the impotence ofthis tranquil area for all residents this side of town as a safe haven for our mental health the positivity of walking through woods along the stream and fields listening to skylarks has on your feeling of wellbeing it can’t be replaced by a small play area and 1000+ houses the noise, light pollution, smells and traffic are so negative for my health. We have consistently built more than the allocation of housing along the A12 corridor and near the main station the MOD should donate this area forever to remain part of Colchester that can never be built on and raped of all its diversity.

Greenest city in Europe caring about this planet. Excellent quality of life for all its inhabitants including non humans. Promoting its history.

History. Connectivity to country side, London, etc.

de-carbonisation, being an entertainment / experience centre,

History, Sustainability, great place to live and work

1. It's location to the coast and airport and countryside. 2. The people 3. The history of Colchester

We are very fortunate to have this access to the coast, to the ports, to London and yet beautiful countryside. We have the opportunity to preserve our surroundings and maintain its history if we act now!

It's History It's Accessibility to the countryside and coast It's innovative and sustainable approach to creating a town for visitors

It’s green areas ( eg Roman River Valley and Middlewick Ranges It’s history

To protect its historical value and to preserve its wild areas

The city to acknowledge the needs of its people while protecting the areas that promote biodiversity

The arts venues - the Mercury, the Minories and First Site The remaining historic buildings including the Castle The Avenue of Remembrance and its water meadows, the trees along St Andrews Avenue, the Park I can think of little else that I like about it - I see you have been careful not to ask what people don't like

To revive the town centre and improve the traffic systems around the wider City To attract industry to provide local jobs - not just endless housing estates To dredge the river leading to Wivenhoe to enable its fishing industry to flourish

A vibrant town centre with easy access, a range of independent shops and cost effective parking Industries providing local jobs - not to be a dormitory/commuter city Good schooling

Out of town retail parks - good growth. Colchester is an exciting place location wise on the A12, with fantastic opportunities for enterprise and employment and this should be championed under the Local Plan provision.

Smaller scale employment sites out of the town centre. Too much focus has been on enterprise retail parks across the district and not enough planning under the Local Plan.

Better commitment to small scale employment site provisions instead of larger retail parks. What is happening in Colchester is the surrounding authorities Braintree and Tendring are creating provision on Colchester's borders. This is drawing on Colchester's infrastructure and facilities to benefit neighbouring authorities but Colchester should be capitalising on it themselves. Colchester is a fantastic location to cease and capitalise on small businesses.

Vibrancy Inclusiveness Eco awareness

To revitalise the town centre by imaginative planning To improve the provision of infrastructure, in particular schools, health services and accessibility, in relation to local population by controlling expansion which would render these facilities ever more inadequate. To maintain as much easily accessible public open space as possible, in particular to prevent building on Middlewick Ranges - the green lung of south Colchester

Clean air Green credentials Putting the needs of citizens ahead of commercial priorities

Not too much nowadays! - the town looks grubby, East Hill and the barriers horrible, Cowdray Bridge an embarrassment. Roads truly Third World. Castle Park lovely but Castle needs massive improvement in display and lighting. THIS CITY IS AT A TURNING POINT - IT IS NOW ON THE VERY EDGE OF BECOMING A REAL DUMP OR A PLACE WITH GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND A PLEASANT GREEN ENVIRONMENT WHERE CRASS DEVELOPMENT IS NOT ALLOWED AND DEVELOPERS DONT HOLD THE REINS.

A town without traffic jams, a clean litter-free city centre and environs, A wildlife country park at Middlewick with NO DEVELOPMENT and a safe city centre at night for those over 40 and who fear going there! Retaining what little countryside there is in the suburbs and STRICTLY regulating mediocre development plans and housing estates.

A pleasant place to live with MIDDLEWICK AS A COUNTRY PARK AND ZERO DEVELOPMENT, plenty of open spaces and greenfield sites and NO POTHOLES ANYWHERE (like much of the rest of Europe). LITTER FREE EVERYWHERE (LIKE THE REST OF EUROPE)

The heritage of the city , the design of the older parts , and some of the new developments ( Chesterwell and the other parts around the severals site both sides of Via Urbis Romanae ( the most ridiculous name for a new road which is one of the main routes into the City ) These things can be encouraged once the town has a proper infrastructure road network including the much needed southern bypass to unblock the hythe / Southway etc .

Having proper infrastructure which in turn will help revitalise the retail centre , good links with London and the Midlands ( via Suffolk )

A happy and safe p[lace to live and work .

This is difficult. Many years ago, I would have said its identity, charm and ease of access and litter free. I can longer say any of those things. Colchester is dying. A town/city needs more than endless nail bars, barbers, coffee shops and chain eateries. The soul has been ripped out of Colchester.

To remain separate from other towns/cities and not to be linked by ribbons of development. To retain its identity as an historic and interesting place to live, not one suffocated by endless development to the point that you could be anywhere in the UK To bring back life into the town centre - bring back the independent shops by not imposing exorbitant business rates Bring back the shoppers to support those businesses by not imposing widespread parking fees eg St John's Green and Crouch Street. What are the incentives for people to go into Colchester to shop? None! It has become an expensive desert.

Its history. This could be much better exploited for the benefit of tourism and education. Its surrounding countryside - fast disappearing to development. Its sensitivity to and appreciation of nature and green spaces by having Middlewick removed from the local plan. Show us that easy money from development is not everything!

1. It’s my place of birth, I feel I belong here, I know the area well after living here for 70 years, both my parents come from colchester. 2. The history of colchester, although not as exploited as it should be, spans over 2000 years, and there are more discoveries to be made, from all the eras of it. 3.it forefills me, with sporting facilities like the canoe club, that’s been going for 45 years, to the two theatres that put on some splendid productions, along with splendid parks that enhance walking, to a river that need attention, but could be a place people could enjoy.

Develop the history and make it a tourist centre. Develop the river with portage points and have the flood barrier closed to give a better looking and useable area around the Hythe Properly pedestrianise the high street during the day. Promote more green spaces for public use, the middlewick ranges is a prime example.

History Canoeing facilities, replacing middlemill with a purpose built sluice for canoeing. Being a vibrant city with lots going on.

- Right size - big enough and dense enough to have plenty of amenities, both essential and non-essential, within easy reach, but small enough that there is still a sense of community and place. - Fantastic variety of wildlife/countryside to enjoy, from the coastal salt flats to ancient woodland and so much more. - Amazing local arts scene which has gone from strength to strength.

Connect communities in a way that is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. This means getting local control over public transport so we can create a network that benefits everyone, recognising financial profitability is not the only measure of success for individual transit routes. It means building new communities and adapting existing ones with a view to giving all residents real choices about how they get around, and the ability to access services and amenities locally. It means fostering connections between people through community programmes, sports and arts, local events and more. Create economic opportunities in Colchester to encourage the kinds of businesses that genuinely bring money into the community by employing local people and paying local business rates whilst generating their revenue from a much wider catchment (e.g. manufacturing, high tech industry, national company HQs, regional tourist destinations) rather than those whose net effect is to siphon money out of the community (e.g. big box chain retail stores). Work with Essex University to employers whose recruitment needs align with the skills of Essex University graduates to improve our relatively poor graduate retention rate and create the kind of high-paying jobs that help to lift the whole local economy. Embark on an ambitious council house building and improvement programme to create the quantity and quality of social housing we had before Right to Buy turned council housing from an option for everyone into a form of welfare only available to the most desperate. Everybody has the right to a decent, affordable home and it is increasingly apparent that relying on private housing development, even with 'affordable' housing quotas, is not working.

We should be known for a thriving cultural scene that supports local artists as well as attracting talent from far and wide, underpinned by our unique heritage assets and nationally important attractions to make Colchester a destination. We should be known as not just an environmentally friendly city, but a truly environment-first city, with a thriving circular economy, a nature-first approach to development and an ethos of environmental stewardship and activism embodied by all residents. We should be known as a strong, diverse but united community that works together to solve our problems collectively, help those in need and improve our city in a genuinely democratic way, in contrast to the growing national trend of political tribalism, selfish individualism and moral and intellectual absolutism.

Its location to London and the coastal region of the county. Easy access to diverse and historic open spaces such as the wick. The city facilities

Keeping the open spaces such as the wick open for public access. With the increased growth of inner city housing, spaces such as the wick will be even More important the inhabitants and visitor to the areas…..”

A council that had the foresight to look after its inhabitants health by restricting the building of houses on the wick…. Understanding that road infrastructure to and from the area is not fit to carry the increase in transport….

It's open space It's diversity It's community

To keep Middlewick free of housing and to retain the whole of Middlewick ranges as a nature reserve

To be known for ensuring that the overdevelopment of the city is resisted and retain the green open spaces for healthy lifestyle New development should only be on new villages outside of the existing urban areas

Its proximity to the river Colne and all the wildlife that comes with it.

To finally put in place realistic and well-informed plans to address the Climate and Biodiversity Emergency that was announced in 2019.

1. That they (finally) listened to expert advice and acted on it. 2. For procuring investment into the Hythe area by dint of bold and imaginative partnerships with private enterprises. 3. Stopping an historic and disastrous precedent by preventing one of its biodiversity-rich, irreplaceable nature reserves - Middlewick - from being built on. This will take courage and (in some cases) unaccustomed humility.

It is a very historic town, with many remaining historical features easily accessible It is not too big and is easy to get out into the countryside Excellent facilities, including FirstSite, Colchester Arts Centre, and the Mercury Theatre

To stop expanding! Ensuring that existing facilities can meet the needs of the current population To protect existing open green spaces and access to surrounding countryside

To be the city that said no to inappropriate and destructive development (i.e. Middlewick) Creating a green future by protecting green spaces Being a cultural centre for north Essex and south east Suffolk

Proximity to amazing coastline & countryside Castle Park, an asset in the middle of a city The library service

To develop the city centre To provide genuinely affordable housing & infrastructure to support it To have road and transport systems that are environmentally friendly & ease local congestion

Its arts and cultural offer. Its city centre, which offers, sophistication and diversity in ways to spend time, eat, drink and be entertained. Its clean air, and well kept appearance

Proximity to London, proximity to countryside, historical landmarks

Celebrating our history, developing our tourism offer and supporting new digital and small businesses

Digital and small businesses, akin to somewhere like Brighton.

The historical places including Castle park and other green spaces. The theatres and galleries. The independent shops and restaurants.

Saving the endangered wildlife on Middlewick Ranges by taking this area out of the Local Plan for housing. Also retaining this magnificent open space for the local residents and visitors for recreation and for their mental health. Reducing the amount of house building with the exception of social housing exclusively for local residents. Improve the infrastructure as it is inadequate for the current population.

1. The new country park at Middlewick Ranges. The first Skylarks have arrived and hearing them sing is the most uplifting sound in the world. 2. All the current historical sites. 3. Adequate provision of medical care, hospitals and schools

Beautiful wildlife close to the city centre - with green spaces (especially Middlewick) within walking distance. The Roman Circus - unique asset for the city. Wonderful history.

Conservation of wildlife and green spaces close to the city centre, to help citizens learn to love and respect nature. This must include the Middlewick Ranges, for its exceptional biodiversity and rare grasslands. The promotion of the city's historic assets, especially the Roman Circus - using other comparable cities (eg York) as a source of learning and inspiration for how this can be done. The development of the tourist economy, the expansion of hotels and the benefits for the city centre, employment and the standard of living of local people. Less emphasis on housing and the growth of high quality jobs for local people.

Flourishing, beautiful wildlife and green spaces in and close to the city centre, especially the Middlewick Ranges. Widespread recognition of the Roman Circus as a nationally significant historical asset. Economically successful city, with heritage assets at the heart of a large tourism economy.

Museums Parks Theatre

Realign shopping / businesses locations with a proper provision of health (hospital beds, doctors surgeries, dentists) and schooling. House building and infrastructures need to be progressed together.

Nice place to live and bring up children.

I like the fact that although Colchester is a city it’s still quite rural - we should be fighting to keep it that way. Getting National Grid to offer more options, than at past, pylons. Council should be fighting to save our green spaces from monstrous, 50m high pylons that will industrialise our beautiful countryside, and make walking in the countryside a thing of the past. Integrated Offshore grid are cheaper, greener and quicker.

Getting to netzore but in a sensible way. Windfarms out on the North Sea should be connected to a MOG and energy transmitted to where it’s needed along the seabed to Kent - not across our beautiful countryside.

Fighting National Grids ludicrous, proposals of pylons. Getting an offshore grid built like other countries, saving the countryside from being industrialised. And doing the best job possible.

Castle Park Roman History Mercury Theatre

Promote roman history Make travel by car easier Stop building 1000’s of houses

Killer whales in the colne Great road system Less council led vanity projects

History Open spaces

It's history and open spaces Make more use of its waterways

History Parks and open spaces Safety

Colchester Castle Park Colchester Castle my home

If Colchester want to attract tourists, you need a proper bus and coach station, with proper state of the art facilities.

Its Roman heritage, the Castle, good selection of independent shops, such as bakers, greengrocers, butchers, etc.

Green open spaces Access to great parks and the river It’s history

Making Colchester a greener city especially with regard to active travel and public transport Stopping rapid urban sprawl and only allowing development on brownfield sites Developing and promoting its local history in a far better way

Greenest city in the country For Sustainable travel with pedestrian and cyclists having safe routes and good public transportation Further enhancement of the green sites and parks around the area