MM65

Accurate and full representation of the Marks Tey NP Policy MT04 must be included within the modified text as outlined in these representations.

Colchester Borough Local Plan – Section 2: Marks Tey
Main Modification MM65: Local Plan Policy SS11
The purpose of Main Modification MM65 is stated to be twofold: To remove reference to the Braintree Colchester Borders Garden Community (BCBGC) and: to clarify the role of (the Marks Tey) Neighbourhood Plan. With regard to the latter, it is submitted that the modified wording of Policy SS11 in the Local Plan (LP) does not cross-reference sufficiently accurately to reflect the wording of the relevant policy (Policy MTO4) in the draft Neighbourhood Plan (NP).

Marks Tey is unique among the Sustainable Settlements listed in LP Appendix 1: Table SG2 Colchester's Housing Provision as, having lain within an area promoted for strategic growth to ultimately deliver over 20,000 dwellings, it is shown in the New Allocations column (2021-2033) in LP Table SG alongside a zero figure.

Neither the LP nor NP identify new allocations at Marks Tey, but the NP does provide policy guidance to govern the location and size of future village housing and other uses in Policy MT04 – copied as extract below:-.

The modified wording of LP Policy SS11 is currently limited to the following statement:

"Growth within the Marks Tey area will largely be guided by the following documents in addition to the Local Plan:

The Marks Tey Neighbourhood Plan will provide flexibility, including the scope for the allocation of any small parcels of land for development to be considered in the Neighbourhood Plan at the appropriate time."

The LP therefore acknowledges the need to cross-reference to the NP but the modified text, by only specifically referring to "flexibility" and to "small parcels of land", does not fully convey the contents of NP Policy MT04. This Policy firstly lends support in principle to development within the existing village settlement boundaries for Marks Tey and Little Tey. It then indicates proposals outside the village settlement boundary for Marks Tey will not be supported unless they represent specified exceptions in association with environmental and community benefits. It identifies two such exceptions which are highlighted in the extract below:-

*sensitively designed small-scale minor development on the edge of the defined settlement boundary for Marks Tey, and;

*larger development schemes on the edge or well-related to the defined settlement boundary around Marks Tey;

The wording of LP Policy SS11 does not therefore convey the NP policy provisions for larger as well as smaller schemes to also come forward as exceptions on the edge of the village.

As noted, one of the reasons given for the Modifications to Policy SS11 is: “To clarify (the) role of the Neighbourhood Plan". On the strength of the above, we consider the matter needs clarification and therefore offer the following alternative wording:

"The Marks Tey Neighbourhood Plan will provide the necessary policy guidance governing development within the settlement boundaries for Marks Tey and Little Tey and, exceptionally and in association with environmental and community benefits, for small scale minor development or larger development schemes on or well-related to the settlement boundary for Marks Tey."

We believe that the above wording, in the absence of any housing allocations in the LP, would achieve a useful cross-reference between the relevant LP and NP policies and clarify the LP guidance for future housing provision at Marks Tey.

EXTRACT FROM MARKS TEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
POLICY MT04 – VILLAGE SETTLEMENT BOUNDARIES
Development proposals will, in principle, be supported within the existing village settlement boundaries as defined in the Local Plan.
Proposals outside the village settlement boundaries will not be supported other than for:
• sensitively designed employment uses on the edge of the settlement boundaries (not including the Little Tey settlement boundary) where these will meet local business needs;
• recreational uses that will meet identified community need;
• appropriate countryside uses including essential utilities infrastructure; and
• in exceptional circumstances such as:
o Sensitively designed small-scale minor development on the edge of the defined settlement boundary (not including Little Tey settlement boundary) where proposals will deliver high quality urban design and raise the standard of architecture, green infrastructure and design in the surroundings and meet other planning policies in this NP; or
o Larger development schemes on the edge or well-related to the defined settlement boundary around Marks Tey village only (does not include the Little Tey settlement boundary) where proposals will deliver significant community benefits to the existing Marks Tey parish and which adopt innovative approaches to the construction of low carbon homes which demonstrate sustainable use of resources and high energy efficiency levels (for example construction to Passivhaus or similar standards).

See attachment for full representation