Survey Questions
Historic City Centre Middlewick Ranges local wildlife site Access to mainline infrastructure
Protect its Green-space areas, climate change needs councils to develop on brownfield sites not local wildlife sites. regeneration of the Hythe , bring back the Hythe regeneration plan from 2008. stop building just flats there, south colchester remodelling keeping its greenspace areas for a large interconnected sassy wildlife reserve
less overdevelopment, build developments that work for people, not profits of house builders better access for all types of transport. its protection of nature and wildlife sites
Very lively place with lots of community, cultural and artistic groups and activities I live near Middlewick Ranges and really value this open space, which I used every day during lockdown
The bus services should be brought under the control of the local authority. Public transport is appalling. The Middlewick RAnges should remain as open space and the green lung of Colchester.
Decent public transport
1. Neighbourhoods are distinct and have individual character, especially older ones with shops and services built in 2. It's relatively compact with some good cycling can walking facilities so easy to walk and cycle from place to place 3. It has a thriving community of grassroots organisations from charities to community groups to artists and makers.
1. Making the most of the desire among most residents for more active and sustainable travel options 2. Making the most of grassroots organisations, and helping, supporting and investing in them thrive to fill gaps that LAs no longer can afford to. 3. Developing in a sensitive, thoughtful and people-led way that's guided by community need can create more communities and enhance Colchester.
1. A case study for active travel best practice, especially in Essex. 2. A place people want to live, work and enjoy - be that locals, visitors or people looking to move 3. Somewhere that welcomes and nurtures creativity and entrepreneurship
Heritage sites, Castle Park and Local shops
Create more green spaces, build a proper bus station and enhance our heritage sites
1) Green spaces 2) Heritage attractions 3) Great public transport links
The countryside and nature The historic villages and market towns Wildlife
Stop the urban sprawl Reduce housing targets Stop building car-dependent developments Increase active travel and public transport Put nature first Involve communities - a community planning forum and/or citizens' assembly is needed
Green space & nature & biodiversity Active travel & public transport Great community participation
It is lovely to leave the city centre and walk in some of the green spaces around the city. There is historic places to visit if you can find them which are very informative and interesting There many, many eateries within the city
support those green spaces that are within walking of the city centre like Middlewick ranges and nature reserve. Converting empty shops and offices into homes within the city centre and encourage a renewal of the market maybe within red lion square
The wonderful nature reserves around the perimeter of the city and within walking distance of the centre. The historic ambience and places to visit. A clear directory of the many, many historic monuments we have and the real roman history and army history to be preserved before they are lost for ever. The proximity to the coast and ability to visit the seaside as well as some of the loveliest green spaces in England and then come into the city centre to a thriving varied market.
1. Train connections into London
1. Rebuilding the city centre, it’s not appealing currently 2. Creating better road infrastructure to accommodate all the new housing
1. Safe area to live 2. Great schooling 3. Low unemployment
The historic buildings- castle, town hall. Good restaurants and bars Nice parks
Parking for town General shops in town e.g marks and Spencer are now missed
Independent restaurants and bars Family days out A greener way of living
It’s history Compact town centre Out of town retail and entertainment venues
Make the centre nicer - the high street needs to be pedestrianised totally, no cabs, no buses, nothing. Like Ipswich, retail deliveries at certain times only. The whole street could have outdoor seating, the Town Hall could have a lovely square in front of it. Hopefully it would be more attractive to businesses to fill the many empty shops and retain those already there. We are the oldest English Town but we don’t embrace that - look at places like Windsor and Marlow, they have flower baskets, bunting etc, it gives such a lovely feel and attracts visitors. The High Street needs this, it holds many of our oldest buildings and leads to the Castle.
A beautiful historical quaint city Excellent dining and cafe culture Fabulous range of small private retailers but also mini versions of large retail chain stores
Train line Green spaces Sports center
Preserving historic buildings Embracing roman architecture Parks
Roman architecture Historical past Clean
The history. The Castle. The park.
Make more of the history of the town. Have more actual shops that are of use to people in the city, rather than endless eateries. Tidy the town up. Repair pavements and roads (so many potholes) and clear rubbish from the A12 as you come into Colchester. It is a disgrace!
Creating a city centre that has actual retail shops. Is a safe place to come and visit. Has a fantastic heritage and history.
Castle Park Independent Businesses in the City Centre No 3rd.
The Master Plan and further plans to reduce car traffic.
Up and coming cycling city Substantiable Beautiful City Centre
It's history. The variety of green spaces that we have (although these are reducing by the day due to development!)
1) Prioritising it's beautiful green spaces and protecting them from development. This includes, but is not limited to, Middlewick Ranges. Colchester should be known as a place which provides its residents with ample green space (wild and managed) to use and explore in order to ensure their current and future health and wellbeing. This is particularly important for our children (the next generation). There are plenty of brown field/derelict spaces which can be repurposed for housing and better infostructure development. 2) Supporting local businesses/charities but offering fair and reasonable rents and business rates (we have so many empty shops/units!) 3) Colchester has some wonderful charities which support a myriad of people - these should be supported to thrive 4) Reducing the traffic in and around Colchester as it is awful!
A place which prioritises/protects it's green spaces (wild and managed) and does not see them just as opportunities for development/making money. Makes the most of it's historic/arts and culture importance and brings more people into the city using these. Better sustainable transport options and a focus on encouraging people to use them (i.e. reducing it's traffic congestion).
Firstsite, castle park, Wivenhoe
Expanding businesses outside of the city centre. Bridging the literal gap between town and the Colchester United stadium and the Sports Centre. It's pretty bare there when it comes to businesses, it's really residential and only food shops but you can expand outside of the city centre.
Green spaces, arts, and being the hub of East Anglia
1) Colchester Castle Park 2) nice countryside walks 3) a nice mix of coffee shops, restaurants, and amenities in the general area
More focus on active transport facilities: cycle lanes, cargo bike hire, encouraging less driving the main city centre area, pedestrianised zones. Greater focus on events that build a community and bring the city and local areas together.
Community. Family-oriented. Green.
It was where I was born. It has Roman history. Benign climate.
Make more of the Roman history, unfortunately Essex does not have a good reputation for looking after its heritage. You shouldn't bury the Roman stuff, as though shameful about it, you should bring it to the fore. Do all you can to prevent overdevelopment. Do all you can to improve sustainable transport - cycle ways etc
(1) Eco friendly, modern buildings in an ancient Roman style as a nod to and celebration of Colchester's history. (2) Colchester wine develops as a result of thr hotter summers and milder temperatures with small, local vintners and merchants contributing to a flourishing economy. (3) You have been a key player in the reoopening of the Cambridge--Sudbury--Colchester railway, thereby relieving pressure on the only line into north Essex from London. People will be travelling to the city in a sustainable way.
Convenient for London trips, when trains running. Easy to get to countryside, once out of City traffic. High Street facilities, once all units full.
To build infrastructure, out of City now, as opportunities in centre have not been taken!
Achieving additional homes & providing services prior to or alongside development. Infrastructure first, with housing second for once?
A good mixture of culture/history and developed and natural spaces. The Wick being one of the best natural spaces, it should be preserved in its current state and taken off the local plan and not sold to a developer.
Save the Wick! Build less, as previous targets have been exceeded, meaning we don't need to expand so rapidly
Saving the Wick! Protection of it's beautiful green spaces. Putting the E in ESG before building targets. For all councillors to work together to get the Wick removed from the local plan.
Access to green space at Middlewich ranges, castle park, highwoods etc The local music scene. The number of good venues and events (e.g. 3 wise monkeys Street event for Robin Cancer trust) The amount of historic buildings/sites and unique architecture.
Do not allow development on the Middlewick Ranges.
Green space, music and it's rich history
The history The small villages surrounding it Lexden walks
Make the most of the historical aspect and make the city centre thrive - like Chelmsford Bond Street. Stop it from being treated badly with people on nights out and attract people to culture and history.
History Beautiful grounds and walks Tidiness and cleanliness
The different shops, castle park, woodlands
Jobs for unemployed
Less crime rate, fun events, carnivals
The history of Colchester as a Roman town. I live in Lexden and love the footpaths I can take around me. The relative safety of where I live, but I fear this is changing.
To invest in our rich heritage. To showcase our wonderful ruins including the Roman Circus. To invest in other important sites to encourage tourism including Jumbo and the old Odeon Cinema site.
Our Roman places to visit and to be a safe and welcoming city. We are now a City, but the council are not acting appropriately. Please make speedy decisions with the best interests of Colchester!
There are still some green areas - big enough for kids to play in and dogs to get walked on. The green areas are fast disappearing but there are still a few left. We have to preserve them. Old buildings with character and charm - we have to keep the, so we are not over-run with new builds. It still has areas/towns which feel rural and not connected to a bigger town. These feel very special.
The country is on the cusp of losing what makes us special - we have an opportunity to preserve and cherish what we have left. By all means put housing on brown areas or in the town (the town is dead already so more housing will not matter much) but we should be keeping open spaces free and green. In an age where everyone else is building - we should set an example and keep fields and green spaces as they are.
I would like Colchester to be known as the city/town on the edge of London which resisted the urban sprawl and kept it’s individual feel.
Tiptree being a separate place Tiptree Heath Pods Wood
Retaining green space for use by residents improve the high street in colchester improving access to public transport
No answer given
Its history/historical landmarks, countryside on its doorstep, accessibility to Chelmsford, London and the coast.
Investment in infrastructure to cope with the increasing housing developments. The roads are terrible, access to GPs is awful and the Stanway area is permanent gridlocked. Concerned over increased anti social behaviour and crime in city centre.
Low crime and safety Open areas/parks History and a centre for arts
Easy to walk from one end to another Historic aspects The people
Managing infrastructure to not further overcrowd the already congested roads
Good links for walking and cycling No traffic congestion Good amenities and facilities such as schools and doctors
Historically very interesting, beautiful park, Safe environment
Removing traffic from the town centre, turning the town centre in a leisure destination.
Leading the way in advocating cycling and walking. Encouraging children to spend more time outside, having one of the best historical destinations in essex
I like that we have decent shops in town but more so that our retail parks can't be beaten. Retail parks suit parents of younger children better for the ease of transport. I also like the rail links and operation timetable. Colchester is a good central base for Suffolk and other outdoorsy areas.
I think Colchester should invest more in its history, and I understand this is in the works but the problem now is you are having to undo years of travel ease etc to arrange this and it won't be received well. I think there is an opportunity to make villages more accessible to the centre - they currently rely on cars and too few buses. Once a bus has 1/2 prams no more prams / wheelchairs can fit. This is a massive oversight in the future of economical transport. I would like to see better off road provision for cyclists. The cycling provision in Colchester is appalling. I would love to go out on my bike with my son in his trailer but I cannot and will not risk it on the road. It's not the drivers fault either. The roads are just not designed for bikes and cars. The end.
- a nice place to visit for history and rural attractiveness. Perhaps the first city to not look like a concrete jungle would be nice. - known for its villages, having not been spoiled - a good provision of health care to keep up with the demand of a city. Something we lack incredibly. I have recently had to change from my local 2 min walk GP to one 10 min drive away because they were never able to get an appointment for even my 3 year old. Got a letter asking to book his flu vaccine and literally couldn't get an appointment. The new GP I've had no problems with. This is terrible for the carbon footprint. I shouldn't have to drive to my GP when I live 2 mins away from one.
Small cosy shopping streets, car free town centre Views of surrounding area from city centre Long and varied history, amazing Roman heritage
Unlock opportunities by making it easier for people to walk or take public transport or cycle into the city centre, removing the noise of cars and making the centre more attractive for people to spend time (fewer parked cars everywhere, more pleasant and quiet spaces with stuff going on). Turn Priory Street into a park so people can enjoy the Roman Wall. Same for Vineyard Street. Same for Balkerne Hill. Make the most of the infrastructure in the city centre by reducing the amount of development outside the centre. Tempting M&S to open a store in Stanway was a huge own goal, those opportunities need to be in the city centre where they can be easily reached by everyone Fix the weird traffic flows in the centre - introducing a contraflow bus/bike lane on the High Street would be a start.
Roman walls in a beautiful park surrounding the city, with walking and cycling trails all the way round A buzzing city centre with lots of public spaces and green spaces and people enjoying it as a place where it's nice to spend time (because it's full of people enjoying street cafes and benches with fresh air and no traffic noise, and safe for kids, no cars driving around) A new tourist attraction - rebuilt Roman circus, unique in Britain
No answer given
It is inevitable that there will be a significant expansion of development in and around Colchester in the next decade and beyond, particularly residential builds. Whilst this brings opportunity, it will be important to ensure that it does not come at the detriment of existing green spaces. There will be opportunity to create new green spaces and to ensure that these spaces are accessible to multi-users, ie pedestrians, cyclists AND horse riders. There should be a requirement that an element of the related Section 106 monies be ring-fenced to protect and enhance the PROW network. This network provides an important link to the wider network in the countryside surrounding Colchester and the proposed development will result in additional funding that could be used constructively to enhance the existing PROW network. Roads are becoming busier, therefore providing new off road riding opportunities for equestrians is extremely important.
No answer given