Provide ample support to boost local TA- existing or new Traditional buildings

Tiptree Parish Council supports this policy.

Middlewick Ranges is fully deserving of this Local Green Space status due to its immense value to the local community. The community has campaigned tirelessly to protect Middlewick Ranges from development, recognising its significance as a place where people have access to a nature rich environment. Nationally important for wildlife, protecting Middlewick will support nature recovery in Colchester. Many local people would like to see the site become a nature reserve, managed for its wildlife interest alongside being a community space. Given the dual importance of Middlewick to both the community and biodiversity, the site must be protected from development.

I'm very pleased to see Middlewick Ranges proposed as a designated local space. I am concerned the phrasing allows for development, but hopefully it would be a very stringent process. The area is an incredibly important green space not just for locals but the environment too. Not only that, but local infrastructure couldn't support any more houses in the area.

West Bergholt Parish Council supports this policy and notes that “Local Green Spaces are also designated in neighbourhood plans and are shown on the policies map”.

Again as above Because the WMNP will be out of date and unlikely to be updated because of the cost and time of doing revisions every 5 years will our designated Local Green Spaces be protected in future? If so how will they be logged if no new NP?

As per my comments in GN2 why can't St John's Fields (site 10256) be designated as a LGS?

I strongly object to any development on the Middlewick Ranges, this Greenfield (acid grassland) site provides vital wildlife habitats, supports biodiversity, and contributes to climate resilience through carbon sequestration. It also offers essential recreational space for the local community, promoting health and wellbeing. National and local planning policy emphasises the protection of such irreplaceable green spaces, and suitable housing should be directed to brownfield sites instead. Approving development here would conflict with Colchester’s sustainability and climate commitments. I urge the council to protect the Middlewick Ranges permanently

I am commenting on Policy PP23 because West Mersea cannot support further large‑scale development. The B1025 is the only route on and off the island, and regular tidal closures at The Strood restrict safe, reliable access for residents, services and emergency responders. Healthcare provision is already stretched, and wastewater infrastructure is at or near capacity. Mersea is surrounded by nationally protected designations (SSSI, SPA, SAC, Ramsar, MCZ) which require stronger safeguards. Policies ST1, ST2, ST7, EN1 and LC1 must be applied more robustly. Development at Dawes Lane is not sustainable without addressing these constraints.

See attached submission.

I support the recognition of Middlewick Ranges as a green space that is demonstrably special to the local community and the recommendation to designate a part of the site as a Local Green Space.

We fully support the inclusion of the Middlewick Ranges land as a Local Green Space as it is special to the local community and must be protected from development. We thank Colchester City Council for the inclusion of this site.
Butterfly Conservation, Cambridgeshire & Essex branch

See attachment with detailed comments on numerous policies. Anglian Water welcomes the opportunity to contribute comments on the Draft
Local Plan for Colchester City Council. We consider that the Plan is well set out with in relation
to managing flood risk, surface water and wastewater, and enabling water efficiency. We
recognise the challenges for meeting the uplift in housing requirements and the
infrastructure required to help deliver future growth across the district, with the main
focus being Colchester and the larger towns.
We have raised some policy matters relating to consistency between policies addressing surface
water flood risk, water supply, and wastewater, and how these matters are attributed to site
allocation policies.
We look forward to continuing our positive and proactive discussions with the Council in
respect of our comments and the next iteration of the Local Plan, including supporting updates
to the evidence base if required

We fully support the withdrawal of the Middlewick Ranges site from the housing allocation in this Preferred Options Local Plan Consultation for the many ecological reasons stated in our previous correspondence and thank Colchester City Council for taking this action.
Butterfly Conservation, Cambridgeshire & Essex branch

are writing on behalf of our client, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which is part of the
Ministry of Defence and is responsible for managing the military estate, including the provision of homes
for service personnel across the UK.
We submit representations to the Colchester Regulation 18 Local Plan Consultation covering multiple
DIO-owned sites and strategic concerns regarding the emerging Local Plan. These representations
have been prepared to assist Colchester City Council in developing an effective and deliverable plan
that recognises both local priorities and national defence requirements.
In line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) it is important that planning authorities and
development plans recognise that MOD Establishments are of strategic military importance to the UK.  It
is important that planning authorities consult with the MOD during the preparation of their plans and take
into account the need to safeguard operational sites.
To support the ongoing military training and operations within the City it is considered that the inclusion
of a specific policy in the Local Plan to recognise these requirements would be beneficial and accord
with national planning policy.
Paragraph 102 of the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) states that ‘planning
policies and decisions should promote public safety and take into account wider security and defence
requirements including by ‘b) recognising and supporting development required for operational defence
and security purposes, and ensuring that operational sites are not affected adversely by the impact of
other development proposed in the area.’
Summary of Other Representations
Land South of Birch Brook
Our client is concerned with the proposed designation of this defence land as a Strategic Biodiversity
Area under Policy ST2. We object to this blanket designation which could prevent continued
operational use and future land release requirements, thereby conflicting with national defence
objectives as recognised in NPPF Paragraph 102b.
We also raise significant concerns regarding the spatial strategy's over-reliance on large, complex
strategic allocations in village locations, which introduces substantial delivery risks. We estimate that
approximately 2,970-3,695 dwellings from major strategic allocations are at medium to very high risk
of non-delivery within the Local Plan period. The Plan requires greater flexibility, contingency planning,
and a more diverse range of site sizes and locations to maintain housing supply resilience as supported
by the NPPF.
Middlewick Ranges
Whilst we acknowledge the proposed de-allocation of this 120-hectare site as a housing allocation,
our client objects to the dual designation as both Local Green Space under Policy GN3 and Strategic
Biodiversity Area under Policy ST2. This approach creates unnecessary policy duplication and
potential conflicts that could harm proper ecological management and enhancement.
The Local Green Space designation is also inappropriate for extensive tracts of land where the primary
value lies in biodiversity function rather than recreational or community use, contrary to National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Paragraphs 106-108. We request removal of the Local Green
Space designation to avoid policy confusion and constraints on effective habitat management as
required by the NPPF.
DIO Berechurch
This 3.6 hectare site is being considered for operational defence use, potentially including Service
Family Accommodation (SFA) development to address urgent identified needs. We object to its
proposed inclusion within a Strategic Biodiversity Area designation, which lacks robust evidential
justification and fails to recognise the site's operational importance in accordance with NPPF
Paragraph 102b.
We also highlight that there is an established operational requirement for the site for military purposes,
this includes the need deliver new Service Family Accommodation (SFA) to meet a significant shortfall
in provision in Colchester, yet the Local Plan provides no recognition or policy support for this
requirement contrary to national defence priorities set out in NPPF Paragraph 102b.
The site also contains existing electrical infrastructure and is surrounded by development on three
sides, questioning its suitability as a biodiversity area. We emphasise the need for operational flexibility
to adapt to changing defence requirements without undue policy constraints. We recommend inclusion
of a specific Military Establishments policy to support development that enhances operational
capability and recognise SFA provision as essential workers housing.
Open Space Designations Merville Barracks
Our client objects to the proposed designation of two parcels within our clients’ estates (at Drury
Meadows and Montgomery Estate) as Open Space under Policy GN6. These sites, totalling
approximately 2.17 hectares, are suitable for SFA infill development and do not provide demonstrable
public recreational or amenity value, nor is there funding identified within the Local Plan evidence base
for the long term management and maintenance of this land as open space. The designations lack
robust justification as the sites were not assessed within the Council's Open Space Report (2023),
rendering the approach unsound.
We highlight that there is an urgent need in Colchester to deliver new SFA, yet the Local Plan provides
no recognition or policy support for this requirement contrary to national defence priorities set out in
NPPF Paragraph 102b. We also recommend inclusion of a specific Military Establishments policy to
support development that enhances operational capability and recognise SFA provision as essential
workers housing.
Key Requested Revisions
We respectfully request the following amendments to strengthen the Plan's deliverability and
soundness:
1. Remove Strategic Biodiversity designations from operational defence land (Land South
of Birch Brook and DIO Berechurch).
2. Remove Local Green Space designation from Middlewick Ranges to avoid policy
duplication and given it is an extensive tract of land and therefore unsuitable.
3. Remove Open Space designations from SFA estate land or provide policy flexibility for
SFA development.
4. Include specific policy recognition and support for general defence requirements and
Service Family Accommodation provision.
5. Incorporate greater flexibility and contingency planning within the spatial strategy.
6. Diversify housing supply through a broader range of site sizes and locations.
7. Establish clear triggers for releasing reserve sites to maintain housing supply
resilience.
Conclusion
The DIO remains committed to working collaboratively with Colchester City Council to ensure the
emerging Local Plan provides an appropriate and flexible framework that recognises both local
housing needs and national defence priorities. Our representations seek to strengthen the Plan's
effectiveness, deliverability, and resilience whilst ensuring that essential defence operations can
continue without unnecessary policy constraints.
We believe that addressing these concerns will result in a more robust and sounder Local Plan that
better serves the needs of Colchester's communities whilst fulfilling the Council's obligations to support
national defence requirements.
We look forward to your consideration of these matters and to continued engagement throughout the
Local Plan process.

see attached

Officer summary of full submission. See attachment with detailed comments on numerous policies:
The overall message is one of support for CCC undertaking a review of the adopted Local Plan to ensure an up to date plan prepared in accordance with the NPPF is in place. ECC will continue the on-going engagement with CCC, through the Duty (or any replacement), to assist progress of the Plan to Regulation 19 (the Pre-Submission Plan), particularly with regards the strategic and cross boundary implications, including cumulative issues and opportunities arising from growth to ensure that the infrastructure requirements are identified, quantified, costed and phased where appropriate. ECC service areas have clearly outlined where further collaborative work/assessment needs to be undertaken (e.g. education provision and ongoing transportation modelling) to refine and resolve an issue; and ECC will continue to be engaged, alongside NH, on the proposals which have an impact on the A12 strategic transport corridor, in particular A12 junctions 25 to 28, A12 widening and junction improvements, and the A120 Corridor Maks Tey to Braintree.

There is support for the Draft Plan’s vision which covers environmental, social and economic needs and emphasises healthy living environments and green networks, environmental protection and economic growth. There is support that the mandatory housing target will be met in full and exceeded over the Plan period in accordance with the NPPF, and that future employment needs will be met (noting that some clarifications are sought) by providing a range in scale of additional employment land supply. ECC provides strong support for policies related to net zero carbon (in operation and embodied), water efficiency, health and well-being, and the environment (green and blue infrastructure and BNG. Recommendations are made throughout the response on policy wording (including policy omissions) and justification to strengthen clarity, effectiveness and delivery.

There is strong support for the inclusion of site-specific Place Policies and references to infrastructure requirements, but these will need to be reviewed and confirmed with ECC following this consultation and the agreement of a final spatial strategy by CCC. It is noted there are some omissions in the Draft Plan such as the allocation of a new secondary school. On this issue, ECC acknowledges the requirement is stated in the Infrastructure Assessment Delivery Plan (Stage 3) for site allocation PP18 Land North of A120 Marks Tey; and in the Infrastructure Topic Paper prepared by CCC, where Appendix A lists the infrastructure requirements for the preferred options site allocations (including those for education). Land for the secondary school (and all education requirements) will need to be allocated in the Pre-Submission Plan.

The review of the IDP and full plan viability assessment are key documents for ECC engagement and input following this round of consultation. The Viability Assessment will need to be reviewed following consultation to ensure it can align with the most up to date evidence relating to the EPOA net zero development policies and its viability evidence. Mention is also made in the response to specific localities and sites – notably Marks Tey and Langham – where discussion needs to take place and recommendations are made to ensure effective delivery if these proposed allocations are taken forward to the Pre-Submission Plan.