Survey Questions

The middlewick ranges are on my doorstep and it is beyond important to me and my family to have this open space nearby. Not only for our mental health, but for the sense of community and meeting others for exercise.

To support local people with open spaces to thrive

It's focus on mental health provision. It's focus on the importance of the environment and nature The importance of wellbeing

The green areas where nature can thrive, that's it

Conserving countryside

Countryside

-It is close to the countryside - it is close to London - it is close to seaside

Rebuild the town centre, stop development around the outskirts of colchester.

- Roman town - stop developing around and ontop of Roman ruins. - variety of local shopping, a different shopping/town experience from the local 'big towns/cities' like Ipswich/Chelmsford. A Bury St Edmunds or Sudbury to Ipwich - A forward thinking local vibrant place.

Its countryside, wildlife and green spaces.

For me the biggest opportunity right now which will have a massive future impact, one way or the other is with Middlewick Ranges. Colchester has the opportunity here to either be seen as a forward thinking city, concerned about larger global issues, or it can simply hammer in yet another nail in the coffin of our countryside. If the development goes ahead and over 1000 houses get built there, it will be an absolute disgrace and a completely avoidable ecological disaster. From day one, when uninformed decisions were made that have led to this development now looking like an inevitability rather than an unimaginable possibility, the people and this wildlife rich area have been let down every step of the way. Passing the buck and denying accountability for decision making at every possible opportunity has left Middlewicks future looking very grim indeed. It is our largest area of acidic grassland in Essex and is completely irreplaceable. Proposed methods to mitigate the potential damage done and replace it are simply not backed up with any credible science. Middlewick is an incredibly biodiverse habitat home to a vast number of rare, endangered and red listed species. Skylarks nest on the ground in the open fields of Middlewick each year. A rare species that has had some local coverage recently at Gosbacks Archaelogical Park where dog walkers have been encouraged to keep their dogs on leads in a bid to help protect them. Middlewick has a larger population of skylarks yet their protection doesn’t seem to have the same concern. The even rarer nightingale also breeds on Middlewick each spring. A species whose population has dropped by 90% between 1967 and 2007. They are now limited to a number of sites, Middlewick being a notable Essex stronghold. Middlewick also holds 1,480 recorded invertebrate species, 150 of which have conservation designations, from locally scarce to nationally endangered. There is a nationally rare species of spider who’s only Essex location is on Middlewick and a rare fly whose only record in the past 50 years has been here. The area already has unacceptably high pollution levels and horrendous traffic at all times during the day. There is no way the roads can deal with the extra motorists from 1000 homes and the infrastructure required to accommodate this influx of people clearly hasn’t been given adequate consideration. Given the recent government incentive to protect our green spaces from unscrupulous developments, alongside the much publicised health benefits these areas provide, it's sickening to think that this could be allowed to happen. Middlewick Ranges should never have been considered for development in the first place. Given what stands to be lost, how could anyone with a clear conscience give the green light to the development? Plans can be altered, alternative solutions can always be made but the damage done to a site like Middlewick is irreversible and the effects are lasting.

Taking the ecological crisis we are in seriously and making decisions/ taking action to prevent making things worse. Making decisions that benefit the city and its residents rather than for the personal gain of those people making them. Regarding Middlewick Ranges, I would like Colchester to be known for how it prevented a potential ecological disaster rather than giving the green light for its destruction because it’s completely out of touch with the severity of the situation. I for one will completely give up on Colchester City Council if the development goes ahead.

1.Its cultural heart (Arts, music, theatre and history) 2. It's location, how close it is to important green spaces of diverse wildlife within the city and to its boundaries and beyond. 3. Its growing diversity of community.

To protect, promote and educate about the importance of its green spaces. Elevate Colchester by having a healthier approach to valuing its green lungs There is a terrific opportunity to be more progressive, to be more Scandinavian in valuing the beauty and the benefits of maintaining biodiverse areas such as Middlewick. Work hard to make it the SSSI site it deserves to be. It will be a win-win. Make it easier and safer to navigate and access the city whether on foot, by bicycle.or by chair and put the car in last place. To improve public transport and make it electric. Promote e-bike deliveries. To build eco homes on land that's of minimal biodiverse importance. To pressurise central government to fund more social housing by municipalising existing stock owned by private landlords.

1. As a go-to cultural centre for arts, history and music.. 2. As the Green city of Essex 3. The best city to live in Essex

Our open spaces, in particular Middlewick, Holbeck and the river

There is a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve a unique ecology within a valuable open space at Middlewick. This ecosystem can't be recreated, and it's value to those who live around it and the wildlife that thrives in this ecosystem is beyond measure. This area should be preserved as a Country Park or other public asset for the benefit of all residents in the LAA

Commitment to preserving the local environment and ecology, care of public assets, country parks, public open spaces and our heritage

Ancient history and historic - over 2000 years of recorded history! My son grew up playing on Roman ruins. Green spaces and parks dotted around - for instance, not having these huge developments such as paving over Middlewick. How can anyone think this is a good idea, except for the developers who stand to make money from it. Access to nature is one of the 9 things identified in Blue Zones (living healthily to over 100) and Colchester has already lost so much to housing development. Find brownfield sites to develop. Good arts scene - theater, music, cinemas

Leverage it's amazing heritage and keeping a naturally expanding feel to the city - not all concreted over and bland

History Green city Family oriented

1. The varied arts and cultural facilities that exist within the city itself 2. The presence of natural and ecologically important green space within its boundary, and proximity to other open countryside 3. The city's historic importance both locally and in the nation's history

1. To preserve and promote what is left of its natural and ecologically important green spaces (including, but not limited to, Middlewick) even if it challenges its planning 'obligations', and to make difficult, alternative decisions (even U turns) and even set precedent by doing so 2. To create a progressively comfortable living, social and working environment that encourages inclusion and settlement of the vast knowledge banks being created by its educational institutions, particularly Essex University 3. Continuing to improve sustainable accessibility to the centre of town; pedestrianisation; car reduction; and improved public transport systems

1. For having succeeded in taking the opportunity to preserve the natural and ecologically important green spaces existing in 2024, and for having protected them from development (including and particularly, Middlewick) 2. For having succeeded in preserving and enhancing what is left of its cultural and historical heritage within sympathetic new build, 'borough homes' and welcoming public spaces 3. For having, and having had since 2024, a progressive city council that had made the difference to the local environment enjoyed by people in 2041 by the decisions it had made on issues of social importance.

No answer given

Protect Middlewick ranges as a natural park and habitat, we are losing too much of our wild spaces

protecting wild life and green spaces

The green spaces such as Middlewick

To look after the green spaces, protect the environment and enhance bio diversity to everyone can enjoy nature

Protection of the environment and to become a leader in this field

A city with a history and ambience. Access to surrounding countryside and green space

To reinvigorate the city centre, to improve transportation infrastructure and protect recreational open space.

A vibrant city centre with a thriving cultural agenda. An example of a 'green' city with open space and protected environments.

Castle and the Lower Park Open spaces surrounding the town centre such as Hilly Fields, Abbey Field, Gosbecks, Highwoods and Middlewick. Each area of estates and numerous houses should have areas such as these places for the multitude of residents and their families. I especially LOVE Middlewick Ranges. It is a wonderful, peaceful area and brilliant for wellbeing and protecting mental health. The area was gifted to the M o D and has been left untouched for hundreds of years. Therefore, it is home to an abundance of wildlife, invertebrates and birds, many of which are protected and in fact on the countries’ "RED" list. Quite apart from this some of the habitat is so rare. I can only say how much it means to me and most of the residents of the area. You have also been advised by countless EXPERTS how rare and special Middlewick is. The area is close to other SSSI sites and should itself have been designated as an SSSI many years ago. The only reason this did not happen was because Natural England lacked the resources to do so at the time. PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY this beautiful and special area.

Pay more attention to the views of the residents of Colchester with regard to: Over development, listen to their views. A structure should be put into place for gathering views and acting upon them! At the moment a few chosen individuals are making the rules and changes for us all and not one of them listens! Also the state of the roads. More and more houses are added and also more cars. The roads are more holes than roads and when a pothole is reported it should be dealt with quickly and efficiently. At present a man with a van will usually turn up with a bucket and the contents of which is stamped in with a foot! It lasts a very short while and then the pothole reappears. Also, in living memory 8 hospitals and healthcare facilities have been closed. More residents and less healthcare facilities. This also applies to schools, doctors and dentists. All people need to take care of their mental health. It is well known they need open space and nature. Stop closing off these places like Middlewick Ranges. These are needed for nature, birds, insects and the rare habitat the area contains. You did not need to put this into the Local Plan but you did. Do the right thing and remove it NOW. Make this a place for the residents and wildlife to enjoy. Take this opportunity and for once be PROUD of yourselves and decisions you make. People will look back in 2041 to 2024 and the decisions YOU make you have the opportunity to make your residents both now and, in the future, to be proud of you as individuals. You have the power to give the people what they ask of you.

As above. Listening to what your residents are asking for and providing them. Make Colchester the town/city it used to be when residents loved the area. Of course, you can't please all of the people all of the time but you can go with the majority. With all the over development, traffic congestion and pollution, SAVE OUR OPEN SPACES, NATURE AND THE WELL BEING OF THE POPULATION. Each area not just the few chosen by you should have a designated country park/ nature reserve for the locals to enjoy. Once you have concreted it over there is no going back. The birds will no longer come to nest, the insects will die, the wildlife will have no home, the rare habitat will be destroyed for good. The residents will have nowhere to enjoy peace and quiet. This is what I would like Colchester to be known for in 2041.

1) Accessibility/sustainable location – Colchester Borough is a diverse area which is in a key 'gateway' location between the UK and mainland Europe. It is well located with good transport connections to London to the south-west (70 miles distant) and to mainland Europe from the nearby Ports of Harwich and Felixstowe to the east (20-30 miles distant). The borough also benefits from strong transport links with Stansted Airport to the west (approximately 30 miles distant). The broad location of the borough is therefore highly accessible and sustainable and provides a strong basis to grow Colchester as an important regional centre and direct proportionate growth at other sustainable locations in the Local Authority Area that are served well by existing transport links and that can help to provide long-term support for the local economy, including retail and leisure sectors. 2) Major employment areas – Colchester borough has significant employment activity and hubs and in recent years the area as a whole has seen unemployment levels lower than national averages. The Army Garrison and the University of Essex are two major employers in the district and the development of a new Garrison will secure the future of the Army in the region and around 5,000 extra jobs, together with a further 2,000 jobs expected in the expansion of the Knowledge Gateway research and technology park on the Colchester Campus, making significant contributions towards the borough's overall employment growth over the next decade. It will therefore remain an important challenge for a new spatial strategy under the Local Plan Review to match housing supply and population growth in the borough with jobs growth, and make sure the broad locations for housing growth provide the opportunity for people to make sustainable travel choices to commute to the major employment areas. 3) Tourism – Colchester is an increasingly popular place to live and work, and the historic town centre has an important role as a cultural and economic focus of the region and a major visitor destination. The current Local Plan identifies the surrounding urban area of Colchester as the focus for new housing and employment development, given its good transport accessibility and links to green spaces.

1) Planning for the future – the Local Plan Review should respond to large planning changes that are likely to emerge over the period to 2041, which may alter the way that we approach, allocate and build out development. Over a similar period, the debate over global warming will become clearer too. These changes are likely to impact on working patterns, leisure activities and certainly are likely to combine to impact on food production and agricultural land take. For instance, as technology improves and climates change we will increasingly see that indoor farming is likely to increase in popularity. With climate change only exaggerating the unpredictability of British weather, indoor farming solutions offer controlled growing environments, yielding better and more consistent produce. This approach also requires less land take and fewer natural resources, such as water, so less pesticides and fertilisers will be washed away into our rivers and watercourses. In turn, this will mean that less farming land is required, with many arable fields becoming redundant. 2) Delivering a new spatial strategy, in a sustainable way – Colchester needs to compete with Ipswich and Chelmsford, delivering a high quality of life, work and play. This needs to be done in the most sustainable manner, directing development to the most sustainable locations, whilst recognising and acknowledging diversity and giving the public a quality of choice to better their quality of life. Sustainable development is objective (fact based and not emotive) and is about valuing all resources realistically. Achieving sustainable development goes beyond the objectives of NPPF Paragraph 8 and is also about: - Making the most of existing public infrastructure. - Making places that are fit for purpose. - Installing civic pride in our environment, giving a feeling of belonging to and being proud of the place where you live, work and play. - Creating places for all to thrive. - Strengthening existing communities and defining new ones that can meet the needs and ambitions of current and future generations. - Giving people genuine choices that can enrich or improve their quality of life. - Creating development that has viable excellence in its design and that is lasting and adaptable to respond to the changing needs of our society. 3) Housing delivery – it will be important to ensure the provision of a wide range of new housing in the most sustainable locations, and to support existing communities and create new ones with distinctive identities that maximise the opportunity to support the vitality and economic sustainability of local businesses. To achieve sustainable housing growth it will be important to focus development at the most accessible locations, which support public transport connections and encourage further sustainable travel connections. In preparing an updated spatial strategy under the Local Plan Review, the Council should take decisions that genuinely seize the opportunity to actively engage with the local community, landowners and other stakeholders to explore the potential options for sustainable housing growth over the extended plan period, at the most accessible locations. A community-guided approach where sustainable development can be shaped around core local principles and help to direct the location of development can also help meet the local and wider needs of the community. This, as a consequence, would reduce the potential for speculative housing development on sites that may not, in the opinion of some, offer the most appropriate or sustainable solution. Given the continuing pressures on the East of England and within Essex, the Local Authority should make it a priority to maintain a good rate of delivery over the next plan period, to ensure its local housing need is met through planned growth. This includes ensuring the allocation of sites that are capable of delivering high quality development quickly, and that have no significant constraints, such as land in the vicinity of Marks Tey railway station off North Lane. Retail and leisure sectors have suffered from the recent Covid pandemic and the slow down in the economy. There needs to be planned housing growth to locations where the additional population can reinvigorate and support the long-term vitality of local retail and leisure businesses. This means pulling in people from out of the area because of the access to the quality of infrastructure, retail and leisure. 4) Transport infrastructure – it is common ground that in principle development sites located close to public transport and services are inherently sustainable and even more so when they are at a transport hub or interchange. The region benefits a number of settlements well served by transport links and there is an opportunity to direct future growth to meet the needs of the borough in locations well connected to key transport hubs, including at identified sustainable settlements such as Marks Tey. 5) Landscape character and views – identify opportunities to direct development away from more sensitive landscape areas and that would ease the pressure to accommodate additional growth on land that would reduce the physical gap between settlements. There is an opportunity to promote the development of land at Marks Tey, and in proximity to the railway station, without impacting significantly on the landscape character of the area and on locally valued views. 6) Promote safer and more attractive walking and cycle routes – identify opportunities to direct new development to locations that reduce walking/cycling distances to key transport links and local shops and services. The extent to which development sites utilise the opportunity to improve the connectivity of a place should be a key objective, and potential sites for development that would provide the opportunity to further enhance the accessibility to existing shops and services for the community should be positively considered. 7) Natural environment – the countryside has value as a home to wildlife, visually dramatic landscapes but unfortunately our society has tried to manipulate the control of development to such an extent that the true value of our countryside is eroded and truly honest qualitative assessments are not made. The planning system has created the a number of designations that all protect our countryside or green spaces, or specifically important sites for ecological reasons. There is an opportunity to explore the opportunities for some enhancements to the biodiversity value of neighbouring or nearby ecological sites as a result of development, which can help to reinforce green and blue corridors in the local area.

1) Visionary – 17 years will see massive change as technological advances lead to changing needs and expectations for society. Planning needs to move into the future and have the courage to think the unthinkable and to deliver the places for future generations to thrive. We have had 70 years where the planning system has under-delivered and reduced the quality of life for too many people. We have come to learn that politics in planning has caused suffering for the many to benefit the few. It is time to make planning honest, deliver economic excellence and invest the increased tax take in better public services. Build a better more positive future through sustainable development. Create the places of choice where people want to live, work and play for generations to come. Good access to opportunities and choices of leisure, retail, sport, jobs, well designed homes, public infrastructure all highly accessible and sustainable. Direct development to the most appropriate and sustainable locations, that can support key transport hubs and interchanges and that matches housing and population growth with job growth. 2) Making a better and wiser natural world – successfully safeguarding and enhancing where possible the area’s most important landscapes, by making sensible planning decisions and allocating sites for development that ensure the pressure to accommodate growth in the most sensitive locations is reduced, and that the opportunity to make biodiversity and ecological gains through development including or near to designated sites is realised. Different natural space has different values – not all fields are equal; not all woods are equally rich; not all rural views are breath-taking. Accurate expert evaluation makes for a better natural world for flora, fauna, humans alike. 3) High quality design and local connectivity – delivering high quality developments informed by well-conceived design solutions that protect and enhance the unique qualities of the community and achieve consistency and responsiveness to local character. Fragmented communities, such as at Marks Tey where poorly linked residential areas currently exist due to the A12, A120 and railway corridors acting as barriers, will be successfully addressed by 2041 but realistically much earlier, enhancing the quality and number of access points within the community to key local services.

Oldest recorded town Natural beauty

Preserving the outstanding natural habitats & history we have

History, Castle etc Natural beauty City centre

Britannia car psrk for bigger cars and vans to parj as multistories impossible in campervan. Middlewick ranges ...walking to easily accessible place for dogs and ability to practice mindfulness watching all the wild animals

Developing roads and not overdeveloping the area with new schools and gp.

Environmentally friendly. Safe. Saving the middlewick ranges and not building 1000 homes. Providing the green space to South Colchester. Even if some of it has to be but on 1000 homes is excessive.

Green space being maintained. Wick - Colchester firing ranges to be maintained as a national trust conservation area

Maintaining green space Sustaining environmental areas rather than building on it!

The town it was oldest recorded town! Green space and national trust areas

The central area is fairly compact. A variety of nice places to eat in the evening. The opportunity to enjoy some green space, especially Middlewick.

No answer given

A decent fully functional central bus station like which we used to have. Low bus fares. Very cycle friendly

1. Colchester is strategically located in the Haven Gateway and well connected by mainline rail and major roads such as the A12, A120 and the A14 to London and other major centres and drivers of economic growth in the eastern region, such as London Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. Colchester’s two main railway stations, Colchester North and Colchester Town, enhance connectivity further. 2. Colchester benefits from a thriving economy that is one of the fastest growing in England, driven by strong retail, healthcare, education, manufacturing, technology and professional services sectors that offer diverse opportunities for the creation of jobs and businesses. Colchester’s economy is being boosted further by the development of Northern Gateway, the new regional sport, business and leisure destination to the north of the city, strategically located adjacent to Junction 28 of the A12 and Severalls Business Park. This opportunity area shows how Colchester’s potential can be harnessed by making best use of existing infrastructure and strategic transport connections. 3. Colchester is served by an extensive hinterland that contains a number of sustainable, well connected smaller settlements which complement the function of the city as the principle urban centre. These settlements contribute to the area’s economic and cultural diversity and vitality and provide significant opportunities for the delivery of further sustainable growth, supported by enhanced infrastructure. Langham is one of these settlements, located a short distance to the north of the city. It is connected to Colchester and its Northern Gateway growth area by the A12 and Langham Lane, which serves as a regular bus route and as part of the national cycle network.

Colchester’s strategic location in the East of England, within reach of London but far enough away to have its own identity and function as a regional centre, serving the economic, cultural and service needs of its own hinterland, means it is well placed to continue its trajectory as one of the fastest growing cities in the UK. Colchester has an important role to play in accommodating growth to address the need and demand for new homes, jobs and infrastructure in the region. There are few centres better placed to do so, due to the city’s excellent transport connections, thriving economy and availability of potential locations for growth. The adopted Local Plan identifies the urban area of Colchester as the most sustainable location for growth, given its high level of accessibility and concentration of housing, jobs and services. Further opportunities for growth in and on the edge of Colchester are limited, however, due to the availability of land and physical constraints and it is increasingly important to think creatively about where future development should be accommodated. The Council has already commenced this process through the allocation of the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community and the expansion of Colchester’s Northern Gateway, facilitated by the creation of Junction 28 of the A12. The availability of connections to the A12, the growth of the Northern Gateway as a business, sport and leisure destination and the availability of relatively unconstrained land in the near vicinity mean that continued growth in and around North Colchester presents a unique opportunity for the city and wider region. Colchester is also fortunate to benefit from a range of sustainable settlements in close proximity to the city, including Langham a short distance to the north. Langham presents an excellent opportunity to accommodate growth in a sustainable and accessible location, close to a wide range of jobs and leisure opportunities, whilst facilitating the delivery of enhanced infrastructure for existing residents. Indeed, the credentials of Langham are recognised by its classification as a “Sustainable Settlement” in the Spatial Hierarchy of the adopted Local Plan, just below Colchester and its immediate environs and at the same level as the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community. These credentials were recognised further through the allocation of land to deliver around 100 new homes. Langham should continue to be recognised for the opportunities it presents to accommodate sustainable growth and deliver new infrastructure in close proximity to Colchester’s northern fringe as part of this Local Plan review. Mactaggart and Mickel (Mac Mic) Group are promoting various opportunity sites in and around Langham – to the north of Park Lane (CCC site ID: 10664), south of School Road (10666) to the east of Wick Road (10165). Any or all of these sites could be developed to deliver continued incremental growth of the village to support and grow existing services and or larger scale strategic development to create a larger, more sustainable satellite settlement for Colchester, adopting garden village principles.

1. Making the most of its new city status by cementing its position as a major regional centre, utilising the strategic advantages of its location, transport links and hinterland. To realise this ambition, Colchester will need to continue to deliver significant growth, including new housing to address local and regional needs, new jobs and business activity to build its role as a centre for economic growth and new infrastructure to ensure thriving communities. It will be important for the Council to plan positively to achieve this. 2. Being bold and grasping opportunities to think creatively about how growth is delivered, by utilising a range of options to address local needs and deliver a better quality of life for existing and new residents. These should include incremental growth of existing settlements to support existing services and facilities and more ambitious projects that deliver transformational change, such as the creation of new garden communities that provide a step change in the delivery of new infrastructure. 3. Recognition of the strategic advantages of Langham as a potential location for growth, created by its proximity to the city and the regionally significant employment, leisure and sporting opportunities on its northern fringe, combined with its accessibility via the A12 and the availability of land that is relatively free of environmental and other constraints. The Council should grasp these opportunities to ensure Langham plays a greater role in the delivery of new housing, employment and infrastructure by 2041.

1. The proximity of open natural spaces to housing areas allowing public amenity and all of the health and well being benefits this provides. For example Middlewick ranges which serves Old Heath, Monkwick, Blackheath, Barnhall etc as well as from further afield. 2. Links to the wider countryside and wildlife sites and the coast. 3. Links to facilities and entertainment such as A12 to London, Ipswich and Suffolk and Norfolk generally.

To put in place a fully integrated planning and infrastructure system for the benefit of existing communities that will prevent grid locked road systems, loss of and access to existing open natural spaces and wildlife.

A place with a council that stood up to central government and put first the needs of the communities it is supposed to represent by protecting open green space, wildlife and the existing environment. A place that understood that planting more trees was a greenwash distraction if still permitting the destruction of existing vitally important habitat and the degradation of the local environment and quality of life for its communities.

1. Colchester City is an appealing location The Colchester City Local Authority Area has an attractive environment. It benefits from a diverse spectrum of settlement types including the city itself including its wealth of history, villages that vary in their size and sustainability, the coastal areas and the countryside. This creates a very appealing location for people to live and there is also a clear harmonious link between the old and the new. Colchester City Council should seek to develop in and around the settlements that are most sustainable and where environmental constraints are reduced, with the most sensitive areas protected from development. This can include appropriate development in both urban and rural communities and it is important that the vision reflects this as an ambition for the area over the plan period. 2. Colchester City is an accessible location As a Local Authority Area, Colchester City is accessible and is well-connected with good transport links. The main urban area of the City itself is surrounded by settlements, such as West Bergholt (identified in the Adopted Local Plan as a Sustainable Settlement), that benefit from good transport links and have accessibility to a variety of services and facilities. By integrating the accessibility of communities within the Vision for the Local Plan, everybody will have the opportunity to support changes in travel behaviours and patterns over the plan period which will bring significant benefits to communities, residents, businesses and the environment of Colchester. 3. Acceptance for further growth Colchester City benefits from a general acceptance that further growth is required in the right locations to ensure a healthy, prosperous, social and economic future for the City and surrounding areas. By being ambitions and open to further continued growth the area can continue to flourish and meet the needs of existing communities and also that of future communities that will be developed over the plan period.

The Colchester City Local Authority Area presents some exciting opportunities for new sustainable growth looking ahead to 2041, that will positively enhance the area. It is important that future growth and development is climate resilient with modern eco-friendly methods and technologies being used and integrated throughout all developments in the plan area. Colchester’s new Local Plan should strive for developments that support the climate agenda whilst supporting future needs of communities. Land North of Colchester Road, West Bergholt (Site ID 10229) is an example of the type of sustainable development CCC should be accepting and actively encouraging. The site is located immediately adjacent the built-up area of West Bergholt and provides a logical infill development to the north-west edge of the village. The site provides a natural extension to the Hopkins Homes site currently being built. The site comprises 3.8ha and could accommodate 80-90 homes. Access would be provided via William Sims Close which has been designed to provide access to the site. There are no constraints to the development and is available for development immediately. As a housebuilder, Hopkins Homes Ltd provide the timeless homes and thriving communities that Colchester should be actively encouraging, that protect and respect the environment for this generation and the next. In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (2023) Hopkins Homes are passionate about the creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable properties and places that people will love and that stand the test of time.

1) A sought after location that provides a welcoming environment with significant development opportunities which creates communities of exceptional quality that those living and working in Colchester are proud of. 2) Colchester will be an area with many successful examples of delivering sustainable developments in the right locations to meet needs that will have been identified through an up-to-date Local Plan, facilitated by positive decision making by CCC. 3) For CCC to be recognised as an authority that is proactive and forward thinking to enable development opportunities to be pursued and encouraged in sustainable locations, to support existing and future communities with the right type of housing and developments in the right locations.

The history and historic buildings The green spaces and wildlife areas The zoo Though all need to be expanded and improved

Conserving, enhancing and inproving the history and historic buildings and the historic town centre. We are after all Britains oldest recorded town. And that is what we are known for. Saving all existing wildlife areas, especially those detailed in the Local Wildlife site report. Expanding and linking them up to produce large scale wild areas. Ensure that important sites such as Middlewick and Salary brook are saved fromdevelopment and enhanced. Hopefully a major reduction in developments and those buildings that are built are built to a much higher standard. Both aesthetically and environmentally.

It's history. It's green spaces. It's overall look and feel.

1) Green spaces: Remaining open green spaces like Middlewick Ranges and Highwoods Country Park provide a vital resource for people and wildlife. Resident's mental and physical health relies on spaces like Middlewick Ranges; it MUST be protected from development as a vital community green open space. 2) Wild spaces: In a Biodiversity and Nature Crisis, a biodiversity hotspot in Middlewick, Roman River SSSI and River Colne SSSI are vital to retain what precious wildlife we have left and mitigate climate breakdown. They are also amazing spaces for children and families to enjoy and learn about nature! 3) Nightingales and Skylark! What other cities can you hear Nightingale and Skylark singing night and day, close to built up residential areas? Not many! Middlewick Ranges supports both species and MANY more breeding birds and other wildlife, supporting one of the county's most important Nightingale populations with up to 30 singing males. Development would decimate these populations, there would be projected over 300 new cats in the area and much additional disturbance. It would be a national scandal!! However, just like in Lodge Hill Kent, this can not be allowed to happen, councillors and planners must act now to avoid further harm to reputation and risk to such a precious and sensitive site of national significance: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13163443/Nightingales-scupper-plans-build-two-new-housing-projects-Permission-refused-21-homes-Kent-countryside-Britains-favourite-songbird-nests-nearby-woodland/

Building communities in the RIGHT low impact spaces, including within existing built footprints ... and protecting existing wildlife when SO much has already been destroyed due to development, poor management and intensive farming. This MUST include the retention of Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site which is still currently threatened due to inclusion in the Local Plan. - Middlewick is a vital green space for community crucial for mental and physical health, and has been for generations. Where else can you hear Skylark and Nightingale close to an already built up area? - Middlewick Ranges is a Local Wildlife Site, the third largest and most biodiverse in Colchester Borough. It helps provide a corridor and connects the Roman River and Colne SSSI to the south and Bourne Valley and Colchester Cemetery to the north; it is a VITAL ecological puzzle piece that cannot simply be removed. - The Wick is the LARGEST area of remaining acid grassland in ALL of Essex, representing over 10% of this ENTIRE Priority Habitat in the county. This would therefore be an enormous county/UK level loss of this rare sensitive habitat type! - The site supports at least 1,480 species of invertebrate including over 150 with conservation designations, and is of national level value. - Middlewick provides home for many notable and protected species including some significant populations, such as Nightingale, Common Lizards and Slow Worms, Skylark, Badgers, none bat species and a myriad of breeding birds and other wildlife. - The 'sacrificial southern grassland around Weir Lane which would be ploughed up and spread with chemicals is home to Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Buzzards, Kestrels and other raptors - which hunt for voles, shrews, mice, lizards and other wildlife - which feed on a large resource of invertebrates within the tall tussocky grassland. -This entire Weir Lane grassland ecosystem would be decimated according to current plans (Stantec/DIO report incorrectly named this ENTIRE area 'arable land'/'Rye grass lay'!!!). - Birch Brook Local Wildlife Site would be massively impacted, including one of the most important Nightingale populations in Essex outside of Findgringhoe Wick SSSI; a planning application near a Nightingale hotspot in Kent was recently rejected due to 21 homes proposed built nearby and resulting impacts including from cats. At Middlewick, they are proposing UP TO 1000 homes which would have OVER 300 cats and over 300 dogs, the Nightingales would not last two seasons. - You simply cannot destroy irreplaceable acid grassland and use highly controversial experimental techniques and plough up an existing ecosystem and spread sulphur to replace what by definition is IRREPLACEABLE habitat. The clue is in the name, and the fact that these proposals are preposterous and dangerous is backed by hard science and some of the top experts In the country. The impacts are unmitigatable and no conditions or compensation exists which could undo this damage. - The flawed Evidence Base and report produced by Stantec is now one of the most discredited reports in Essex planning history. It has been challenged, debunked and denounced by 17 of the most respected and experienced naturalists in the county as well as UK experts and organisations including RSPB, Buglife, Essex Wildlife Trust, Colchester Natural History Society and Essex Field Club. - DESPITE the evidence clearly being not worth the paper it is written on and unsound, this has been used to justify the original catastrophic decision to include Middlewick in the Local Plan - CCCs reassurance that there is an 'independent ecologist' contracted to look into all the evidence has been shattered by the revealing of a pro-development biased brief which presumes development will go ahead - COMPLETELY ignoring the overwhelming and unanswerable case made by the 17 experts. This means the ecologist will find it difficult to share the reality; that any development cannot go ahead and all independent experts and organisations have confirmed. - ALSO, there are MANY other significant concerns such as about infrastructure like roads and permanent gridlock, hydrology like adding to Hythe flooding and lack of healthcare and schools.

1) A strong record in protecting nature. In a Biodiversity and Climate Crisis, the thought of paving over one of the most important Local Wildlife Sites - and over 10% of all acid grassland in Essex, in Middlewick - is simply unimaginable! This would be a permanent stain on Colchester County Council; having facilitated and allowed this to progress so far, the planners and councillors now have to step up and correct this historic mistake! 2) Colchester City Council can let Colchester be known as the City that protected a national treasure like Middlewick Local Wildlife Site - and set a POSITIVE precedent. Rather than a catastrophic and highly damaging one, which would threaten other similar sites, signalling these are open to development too! 3) Let us send a signal to land owners and developers in Essex and UK, that precious biodiverse sites are valued and safeguarded by the existing legislation in planning and environmental guidelines such as NPPF and Environment Act. There are MANY tools the planning officers can use to protect landscape scale biodiverse sites like Middlewick. Time to use them and not be bullied by landowners or agents into development of irreplaceable habitats! The silence of Nightingales and Skylark would be deafening. Let us not let this happen on our watch.

The history and historic buildings The green spaces and wildlife areas The zoo Though all need to be expanded and improved

Conserving, enhancing and improving the history and historic buildings and the historic town centre. We are after all Britain’s oldest recorded town. And that is what we are known for. Saving all existing wildlife areas, especially those detailed in the Local Wildlife site report. Expanding and linking them up to produce large scale wild areas. Ensure that important sites such as Middlewick and Salary brook are saved from development and enhanced. Hopefully a major reduction in developments and those buildings that are built are built to a much higher standard. Both aesthetically and environmentally.

It's history. It's green spaces. It's overall look and feel.

Green spaces Not too big History

Tourism Conservation

Conservation Tourist destination

Its rural setting. Our history, heritage and culture. Mix of businesses, independent businesses and alternative cultures, making an open-mined community.

Making the most of sustainable development on brown field sites, going high, but development with a social ethos providing green spaces and collective public facilities. (Develop my taller storey buildings in more sustainable areas, with social and environmental factors top hot the list. Use the brown field sites and lead with modern, environmentally advanced construction/development. Improve transport connections and develop truly sustainable solutions - less traffic.

Environmentally progressive developments achieved. Novel, sustainable transport models. Celebrating its culture and heritage.

Middlewick Ranges for walking and wildlife Mercury Theatre Tymperleys

To preserve current green areas. Middlewick needs saving from houses. It is vital for the people of Colchester and we must protect wildlife. To improve the chaotic roads

As an area that cares about environmental issues. Preserving green areas and protecting wildlife.

Green space History Colne Valley

Reduce pollution Maintain and enhance green spaces Good cultural life

Preservation of green spaces Range of cultural opportunities Sense of community

Walking my dogs on land where I grew up, Middlewick and surrounding Birch Brook. Nature and wildlife at middlewick

Keeping middlewick and saving the greenspace as nature intended and wildlife to have a small chance of survival along with the precious skylarks and avid grasses

Being proud to be the oldest recorded town (as before) and roman heritage. Put the people before the pound and equality for all

There are many things that contribute to Colchester City as a place. Its distinct and diverse built and landscape character alongside the city’s rich history and natural assets (ranging from urban to rural to coastal), and its military and university links, influences its diversity and interest, and place it as a key regional centre. Colchester’s location means it is well connected to the local and wider strategic transport network (rail, road, sustainable/active) making it an ideal location to take advantage of these opportunities for future benefits. Its transport links enable residents to study or work within Colchester and/or across the wider region. The presence of the University of Essex is a national and internationally significant asset, which attracts and retains young people in the City, provides quality further education locally, and supports research and development. There is also associated support for productivity / SME growth etc via the Knowledge Gateway. Previously ranked second in England for the 'value-added' score in the Guardian University 5 Guide, the University is a significant part of Colchester’s place influence. Together with the Colchester Institute and Colchester Sixth Form, these institutions provide courses and training to thousands of Essex residents each year. Colchester’s size helps to support: • cultural and digital economy strengths; • city centre businesses (146,000 consumers in the City and 220,000 including its hinterland) and a city centre masterplan and regeneration programme; • employment opportunities for residents (68,000 jobs in the City and 105,000 including its hinterland); • business recruitment (95,000 working age population of which 38,000 graduates in the City and 138,000 working age population of which 57,000 graduates including its hinterland); and • the planned Rapid Transit Service which will connect the northern Park & Ride site, Colchester Northern Gateway, the City Centre, hospital, University of Essex campus, and Tendring-Colchester Borders Garden Community. Cultural strengths, which attract overnight and day visitors, supporting the local economy include Colchester Zoo as a major regional tourist attraction; and its profile of being the first recorded town and first capital city with a rich Roman legacy, and military heritage as a garrison town. The rural countryside is significant for its natural and historic environment, as well as providing an appealing landscape setting for the Colchester city urban area, local villages and rural communities. The River Colne serves as a natural green corridor and amenity for neighbouring communities. Colchester offers a wide range of green spaces from its: • beaches in Mersea, • parks and gardens e.g., High Woods, Lexden, Hilly Fields, Salary Brook, • nature reserves and local wildlife sites e.g., Abberton Reservoir, Fingringhoe etc., • other designated sites such as SSSIs, SAC, ANOBs etc. e.g. Colne Estuary SPA/SAC, Dedham Vale ANOB, • number waterways e.g., River Colne, • Public Rights of Way (PRoW) network including Colchester Orbital, • playgrounds, outdoor sport facilities and green spaces around premises (such as school grounds, cemeteries), and • agricultural land where parts are accessible through PRoW.

The following are seen as important opportunities. • Addressing climate change • Creating well designed and attractive places, and promoting the health and social wellbeing of communities, including cultural development • Promoting smart, active travel and sustainable transport • Protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment, and supporting an increase in biodiversity and ecological networks • Ensuring sustainable patterns of development • Meeting the needs for the full range and types of new homes and ensuring affordability • Fostering growth and investment and providing new jobs • Delivering new and improved strategic and local infrastructure • Encouraging resilience in retail, leisure and commercial uses/activity. 6 There is a significant opportunity to embed sustainable design, sustainable transport planning and build for a decarbonised future. In this respect the Colchester Future Transport Strategy vision for Colchester can be embedded within the new Colchester Local Plan. This states, ‘To transform Colchester into a place which prioritises active and safe sustainable travel to bring about health, environmental and economic benefits.’ This vision is underpinned by a series of objectives, which can support high quality place-making and should be reflected in the new Colchester Local Plan. • Providing attractive and healthy environments: Protect, enhance, and improve the quality of the natural, built, and historic environment and reduce air pollution, to enhance residents’, workers’, and visitors’ quality of life. • Improving sustainable transport modes: Offer an attractive and effective choice of sustainable travel (bus, cycling, walking) to encourage increased use and reduce pressure on the road network. • Supporting economic growth and connectivity: Provide high quality transport improvements to enhance network connectivity. Support housing and economic growth in Colchester by linking communities together and enabling access to key services, transport hubs, jobs, and education. • Providing a safer transport environment: Improve safety and the perception of safety within Colchester to promote a safe travelling environment for all road users. • Managing demand: Manage traffic levels across Colchester’s road network and limit levels of traffic in the town centre to reduce delays and improve journey time reliability, maximising capacity through innovative solutions. • Managing roads and signs: Secure and maintain roads and signage to an appropriate standard and ensure the network is available for use with sufficient resilience to cope with incidents. The Colchester Future Transport Strategy reflects key objectives contained in the Essex Local Transport Plan 3 - The Essex Transport Strategy (LTP3), which also provide opportunities for Colchester looking ahead to 2041. • Providing the transport improvements needed to accommodate housing and employment growth in a sustainable way; • Improving the availability, reliability and punctuality of local bus services; • Improving the attractiveness of public spaces to support regeneration; • Improving and promoting cycle networks; and improving the availability of travel choices and awareness of them; • Improving journeys for commuters travelling to London from Colchester; particularly by improving access to railway stations and improving facilities for passengers. LTP3 currently being updated and consultation on LTP4 is expected later in the year. There is also the opportunity to ensure best practice is embedded in new policy such as the following contained in the Essex Design Guide, • permeable layouts that connect well with existing walking, cycling and passenger transport networks within and outside of the development; • the Healthy Streets ‘whole-street’ approach, including how to encourage active travel among all demographic groups; • prioritise (in order) walking, cycling and public transport desire-lines access, which maximise sustainable access between settlements and to key local movement generators; • provision of high-quality communal spaces with supporting facilities which encourage activity by users and co-located within the layouts of new developments; • removing unnecessary through traffic in new residential areas - the layout and attractiveness of the environment should be such as to discourage the use of the car for local trips and encourage walking and cycling; 7 • designing for future adaptation of spaces, enabling them to accommodate changes in the way we use streets and transport; and • the use of future technology infrastructure, such as smart streetlights, street furniture, cycle parking and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which is planned and integrated successfully into new streets and spaces. There is an opportunity to embed the North Essex Economic Board (NEEB) priorities within the new Local Plan. Colchester City is one of seven North Essex authorities (Braintree District Council, Chelmsford City Council, Colchester City Council, Essex County Council, Maldon District Council, Tendring District Council and Uttlesford District Council) catalysing collective action to drive economic prosperity within all parts of the urban, rural and coastal region. NEEB provides the strategic oversight of North Essex’s diverse, inclusive and productive economic priorities, ensuring tangible actions are delivered to support residents’ and businesses’ goals and aspirations. Promoting the region’s potential, the NEEB presents the strong strategic rationale for further central government and private sector investment, needed to deliver North Essex’s long-term ambitions. NEEB has prepared a North Essex Economic Strategy and Delivery Plan, which comprises three sections: a strategic narrative; a delivery plan; and an economic baseline. The overarching vision for the North Essex economy is for it to be: “A proactive, productive and progressive North Essex that advances its economic potential through inward and outward-facing partnerships, with all residents, businesses and visitors benefitting from the region’s economic prosperity. This is supported by four key strategic priorities. • Innovative Businesses and Skilled Residents. A resilient and outward-facing economy that builds on its incumbent strengths and is positioned to deliver economic opportunities for North Essex’s residents, and drive inward investment to support businesses within the region’s critical growth sectors. • A Green and High Growth Economy. A forward-looking economy that utilises the diversity of its resources in a sustainable way that furthers North Essex’s clean energy strengths, boosts growth, and promotes residents’ prosperity through net zero commitments. • A Dynamic and Connected Region. A well-connected and digitally-linked region that provides residents with quick and reliable access to key services, encourages inward investment, and makes the most of ties to regional and international neighbours. • Prosperous and Inclusive Communities. A thriving and inclusive region where all residents and businesses have the opportunity to contribute and prosper, exemplifying the region as a great place to live, work and visit. The continued expansion of Knowledge Gateway Colchester is considered to be a measure of success of the City in future years, as it supports startups and high potential firms, as well as the potential to attract larger businesses and providing higher productivity jobs. There are opportunities to be realised in sectoral clustering of advanced manufacturing, construction, digital technology, and care businesses. There is the opportunity to deliver the City Centre master plan, • building on and bringing out key heritage assets; • redeveloping under-used sites to help regenerate parts of the city centre; • introducing additional mixed uses including residential, workspace and cultural uses; • providing new and improved public spaces; and • improving public realm, connectivity, and transport interchange. City Centre regeneration can provide accessible amenities and services to residents, as well as generating wages and profits for residents. There is an important balance to be struck between 8 preserving the City’s heritage and helping it adapt to changing consumer behaviours. In this regard, several opportunities include, • Strength of Colchester in the Energy Sector compared with rest of Essex. • Continued development of the University of Essex as a centre of excellence, especially for SME related activity and green skills. The University of Essex is ranked No 2 in the UK in the provision of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, predominantly in the fields of data science and AI. • Upgrade of existing facilities at Colchester Institute in order to deliver first class training facilities for residents and support for businesses. • The Creative Colchester Partnership brings together creative business and arts organisation leaders alongside higher education and local authority representatives who work on developing a strategic vision to grow Colchester’s creative, cultural, and digital economy. • Essex has a number of existing skills and innovation assets in the key sectors including several at Colchester - University of Essex Institute for Analytics and Data Science, UoE Biomedical Sciences Centre, UoE Innovation Centre Knowledge Gateway, the Centre for Health and Social Care Professionals, Colchester Institute STEM Innovation Centre, and CI Energy Skills Centre. • The planned Iceni Centre development at Colchester Hospital will build on existing capabilities in Robotic Surgery to create a leading centre for training both inside and outside the UK. There is an opportunity to create a cohesive network of interconnected green corridors and green and blue infrastructure (GBI) throughout Colchester, building on its distinct identity derived from its natural, historic, and urban environments. This can in part be achieved through urban greening, GBI delivery via new developments and improved connectivity that can all deliver a wider GBI network and contribute to a Local Nature Recovery Network. In this respect, it would support the vision of the Essex GI Strategy (2020) to ‘protect, develop and enhance a high quality connected green infrastructure network that extends from our city and town centres, and urban areas to the countryside and coast and which is selfsustaining and is designed for people and wildlife.’. With careful consideration, GBI has the potential to form a landscape wide network and contribute to local nature recovery. References include The River Colne Pilot Study (2022), conducted by the University of Essex and Colchester City Council, the Essex Green Infrastructure Strategy (2020) and the Green Essex Story Map. The ECAC Report (2021) outlines the importance of GI for biodiversity, flood and drought control, soil health, air quality, reduced urban heat island effect and human health and wellbeing. ECAC outlines the following recommendations for Essex. • 30% of all land in Essex will enhance biodiversity and the natural environment by creating natural green infrastructure. We expect these figures to be 25% by 2030 and 30% by 2040. • To increase urban greening – 30% greening of our towns, villages, and new developments by 2040. • Flood and water management, for those properties at risk of flooding to include Integrated Water Management and Natural Flood Management techniques. ECAC has identified the river catchment of the Blackwater and Colne as a Climate Focus Area (CFA). This is a particular geographical region where a focused effort can be made to accelerate climate action and provide exemplars, for learning and innovation, that will be shared with the rest of Essex. Among the objectives of the CFA are to achieve net zero carbon, biodiversity net gain, improve soil health and air quality, reduce flooding and urban heat island effect, and enhance amenity, liveability and wellbeing of Essex communities. It will achieve this by wholesale landscape change in rural areas and urban areas. In March 2022, the Essex Local Nature Partnership (LNP) was established. The Essex LNP is an independent body to that of ECC that meet quarterly (for further details see here). The Essex LNP has committed to the delivery of four key targets: • 25% of all land in Essex will enhance biodiversity and the natural environment by creating natural green infrastructure. (This is an ECAC target that has been adopted by the LNP). 9 • 50% of all farmland in Essex will adopt sustainable land stewardship practices by 2030. (This is an ECAC target that has been adopted by the LNP) • For the LNP adopt the Wildlife Trust’s 1-in-4 programme to engage residents with nature and achieve a 25% engagement level. • Accessible Natural Green Space Standards (ANGSt) target for everyone to have access to high quality natural space close to home and work. The Greater Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy (GELNRS) is being prepared for consultation mid2024. The GELNRS will form the baseline for habitat information, which in turn will generate action to promote biodiversity management and improvement. There is an opportunity to set standards for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The Essex LNP Biodiversity and Planning Working Group are currently reviewing and exploring the feasibility for 20% BNG. Colchester may wish to consider adopting a higher figure in the new Local Plan than the minimum 10% requirement within the Environment Act (2021). Colchester also has fragments of ancient woodlands which could present an opportunity to be part of the Big Green Internet Project by planting wildlife corridors and hedgerows to connect isolated woodlands in Essex together. In this regard there are opportunities to work with the Essex Forest Initiative.

There are many things that Colchester should be known for in 2041 and beyond. It will be a place of healthy, inclusive, safe and sustainable communities supported by a wide range of social, physical and green/blue infrastructure. Residents will start well in life, stay well and age well where health inequalities are reduced. Colchester will play a lead role in ensuring the county is well on the way to becoming net zero by, or before, 2050, in accordance with the recommendations of the ECAC Report. Many climate change solutions deliver economic benefits while improving lives and protecting the environment, and include: • All new buildings will be designed and built to be Net Zero Carbon in operation. They will be ultralow energy buildings, fossil fuel free, and generate renewable energy on-site to at least match annual energy use. • Waste will be avoided where people and businesses recycle, reuse, repair and refurbish as much as possible. A Circular Economy will operate where industries are set up to re-use materials carefully. • The university, colleges, and schools will inspire and equip future generations with the skills needed to tackle the climate crisis. • Skilled workers will want to come and live in Colchester and green industries will invest. Existing businesses will be transformed into low carbon, and environmentally responsible organisations. • Local businesses and organisations, and all the people who live, work, and play in Colchester will understand the climate challenge and contribute collectively to moving us towards our net zero target. All people will have safe, convenient, and affordable access to key services by a range of modes of transport. Development will be located in places that maximise sustainable access for people and goods and designed around the prioritisation of active and sustainable transport. Improved and cohesive transport networks will enable residents to enjoy Colchester City, its facilities and surrounding areas. The objectives from the Colchester Futures Transport Strategy will be delivered where there is a transport network that is sustainable for the long term with a minimised impact on the natural and built environment. 10 Colchester will be known by businesses for, • attracting and retaining a talented workforce, supporting business survival and growth as well as local economic growth; • providing a good choice of quality business accommodation, supporting business survival and growth as well as local economic growth; and • its strong innovation ecosystem, supporting improved productivity and faster business / local economic growth. The City Centre Masterplan objectives will be delivered where, • an improved mix of uses has created a more vibrant city centre, with more people living in, visiting and working there; • new and improved public squares create a more animated and attractive spaces; and • this is a more attractive city centre with new developments having contributed to the richness of the city centre and the quality of the environment. Colchester will be known for its world class, high quality inclusive education from early years and childcare, primary and secondary, 6th Form and Post 16, Further and Higher Education. There will be safe direct walking and cycling routes to schools. Schools and educational providers will have creative curriculums that understand and respond to local needs in a dynamic way, which will include meeting the needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Colchester and partners can ensure that local post 16 provision is forward looking and people can access the skills within the area, whilst ensuring that those with needs or who are disadvantaged are planned for within the workforce. Outcomes will include, • world class integrated post-16 educational and training facilities that others emulate; • world class university that is integrated into the community and is used as an example of good practice across the world; and • a one-stop-shop approach to Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance for all young people and residents of the City. Colchester will be known for mainstreaming and its strong commitment to the protection, enhancement and delivery of GBI as well as the natural environment. It will establish the highest standards of practice for GI in new developments (including garden communities), retrofit existing urban and rural areas, and facilitate urban greening of the city and towns. A multifunctional and connected landscape wide GBI network will be created. Colchester’s natural and historical landscapes will be used to create a distinctive place that helps people to recognise and connect to nature by protecting, creating and enhancing the local landscape and character through strengthening existing characteristics, that is inclusive for all. Green infrastructure and open space should be approached from a multifunctional perspective, combining uses such as sustainable drainage, public open space, green corridors/walking and cycling routes that are shaded by street trees and biodiversity net gain to combine functional uses with amenity benefits. These features should be strategically located, maximising the benefits and connectivity to site users while increasing the usability of multifunctional space. The interconnectivity of the natural environment, flood protection and water management, outdoor sport and open/green space, and public realm is an important part of the GBI network where all aspects work together. The right design and location will deliver a wide range of functions and benefits of GBI for people and wildlife. Every effort will be made to ensure that connections between green spaces, local amenities and developments are achieved to ensure that routes make sustainable connections and are attractive through the delivery of GBI for the benefit of the new community and existing communities. All of which contribute to thriving green (GBI), biodiverse (BNG) nature (GELNRS) rich place, fostering health, and resilient communities.

Colchester is a location where we have strategic assets for wastewater and water supply: • The Colchester Water Recycling Centre (WRC) provides the treatment of wastewater from Colchester urban area and serves a population in excess of 140,000. Our revised draft Water Resources Management Plan for 2025-2050 identifies Colchester for a water reuse plant. This process involves treating cleaned water from Colchester Water Recycling Centre using membrane technology before discharging and storing it in Ardleigh reservoir where it will mix with river water before being abstracted and treated at the water treatment works onsite. • The Sludge Treatment Centre (STC) was built in 2014 - it is an Anglian Water designed Heating, Pasteurisation and Hydrolysis (HPH) plant, with two combined heat and power engines which give a maximum daily output of 55MWh. These are connected to two dual fuel combi boilers providing heat via steam to the STC process. The site treats indigenous sludge from the WRC along with imported liquid sludge and raw cake. The HPH process provides an enhanced bio-solids quality in the final cake product which is used as a soil enhancer on farms. • Ardleigh Reservoir is primarily required for the supply of 14 million litres of drinking water per day to 133,000 customers in the Colchester area, and therefore is a critical infrastructure asset that may require investment and infrastructure to support its future operation and management in addressing challenges such as population growth, and climate change impacts.

• Delivering sustainable economic and housing growth that is resilient to the impacts of climate change (drought and flooding) • Improving biodiversity and providing opportunities for nature recovery • Integrating zero carbon challenge across all relevant planning pathways Our Thriving East report identifies that Essex is the most populous county in our region, with almost 1.9 million people, 20% of the overall population. The Thriving Index ranks the region Anglian Water serves as England’s second most challenged area, behind London. The Thriving Index pillars of climate change, economy and society, sustainable growth, nature and environment, highlight the specific challenges faced by the diverse landscapes, businesses, and people, offering a comparison across other English regions — and highlights specific opportunities to address them. The greatest challenge identified for Essex is nature and the environment, with key characteristics of poor river water quality, unfavourable state of most SSSIs and very little outdoor space. The future outlook identifies high climate change impact in our region with the second lowest rainfall projections, the highest average temperatures in the region, and above average population increase.

• Working in partnership with stakeholders to deliver resilience for nature and communities • A location for innovation to address key challenges for existing and future communities • Becoming a net zero city/district Our Long Term Delivery Strategy provides an overview of our investment plans in water and water recycling services for Eastern England through to 2050. Our 25-year Strategic Direction Statement states what we want to achieve in terms of outcomes for the region, and our Long-Term Delivery Strategy (LTDS) determines how we will get there through a ‘core pathway’. We recognise that delivering for the long term in a sustainable way requires an adaptable, multi-layered plan. Our long term ambitions (below) continue to guide and inform us on our journey to becoming a global exemplar for a purpose-led business. • Make Eastern England resilient to the risks of drought and flooding: For Colchester this includes water reuse from Colchester WRC required to meet demand for water resources in the area from 2032 and increase our resilience to drought. Managing stormwater includes further investment in storm tanks, and investing in sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) across catchments to reduce flood risk. • Work with others to achieve significant improvement in ecological quality across our catchments: the focus is on pollution reduction, improving the health of our rivers, increasing biodiversity and enabling nature recovery (as a key enabler of Local Nature Recovery Strategy) and working in partnership to achieve these aims. The River Colne is identified for combined river support and river restoration. Through our PR24 Business Plan we have doubled our investment in nature recovery - this includes the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), but also Advanced WINEP (A-WINEP. This is our opportunity to deliver long-term environmental and social benefits above and beyond a traditional WINEP approach. We plan to do this by demonstrating an approach that maximises value by going even further for the environment through partnership working, a focus on the use of nature-based solutions, improved multi-stakeholder governance and innovative funding models. • By 2030 be a net zero business and reduce the carbon in building and maintaining our assets by 70%: This includes supporting renewable energy, process emissions, offsetting approaches, and taking a circular economy approach. Reducing methane losses at sludge treatment centres with advanced anaerobic digestion including at Colchester STC. This demonstrates that in achieving our own goals to become a net zero business, we are also contributing to the net zero ambitions for local authorities across our region. • Enable sustainable economic and housing growth in the UK's fastest growing region: through a range of measures including demand reduction for water resources (smart meter rollout, reducing per capita consumption and leakage), delivering growth commitments, multi-sector regional planning (Water Resources East), and improving bathing and shellfish water quality.