Colchester City Centre Masterplan SPD

It would be good to understand the number of housing that would be created and subsequently the number of affordable/independent and affordable to rent homes that would be delivered as part of the masterplan? I know this is usually in more detailed planning, but it would be helpful to understand how many homes (circa) would be delivered to understand the potential impacts on the city centre. In addition the size and tenure of these units recognising the current under supply of Temporary Accommodation in Colchester and the impact this is having on both Colchester citizens but also the budgets of the council.

What additional infrastructure is being considered to ensure the environment supports mobility and safety for the communal areas and public realm specifically as some of the homes will be for independent living (additional to blue parking and drop curbs mentioned i.e., changing places toilets, ramps). Is there a plan for some of the communal spaces that supports the aging population with accessibility, dementia and learning disability needs?

Is there a consideration on the tenure for the affordable housing options and use (specifically social- rented), although homes are affordable, the cost of living for a city centre is high (i.e., shopping, food, travel expense etc.) especially when this relates to families?

Some of the homes are high-density, consideration around types of affordable tenure (shared ownership, social-rent) and unit mixes i.e. families, singles, couples, a high proportion of young people can sometimes cause ASB close to city centres, so needs to ensure effective management.

In recognition of the changing nature of the retail sector has consideration been made to future proofing retail units so their use can be changed moving forward or any future driving need to move to smaller units or a more balanced hospitality/retail

The design of open spaces should not include anti rough sleeping devices such as spikes, recognizing Colchester citizens who rough sleeper should have access to the amenities too. Rough Sleepers often are the biggest users of open spaces and as such would have a valid input into their design and possibly their maintenance, noting Rough Sleeper CIC's such as Putting Down Roots in London have been very good at offering a local garden maintenance service at competitive prices, while at the same time offering rough sleepers horticulture qualifications, volunteering and employment opportunities.


Green Infrastructure (GI)

We are keen to ensure that GI is incorporated within the plan as far as possible and that it is of high quality aligning with the Essex Green Infrastructure Strategy | Place Services and Essex Green Infrastructure Standards | Essex Design Guide. GI can also be integrated into other areas of the masterplan not just within the environment and landscape sections (the Standards contains example policies on this).

Connectivity: The interconnectivity of natural environment, flood protection and water management, outdoor sport and open space, and public realm is an important part of the GI network and shouldn’t be seen or treated in silo. The right design and location, wide range of functions and benefits of GI can fulfil people and wildlife, the interactions should be emphasised. I.e. Every effort needs to 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 GI for the benefit of the new community and existing communities. We recommend including ‘improvements or greening the public realm (i.e., street trees, dual purpose street furniture with planters, rain gardens etc)’. I can see this coming through in the St Botolphs area but I would recommend multifunctional greenways are used to connect fragmented green spaces across the city, but also along active travel routes to both encourage active travel and create a green corridor for wildlife. This could include, but not be limited to, the integration of nature focused SuDS; native hedgerows, tree and shrub planting; incidental ‘play on the way’ features / trails; informal sport (outdoor gym/fitness trails); and areas for seating to stop and rest.

Ensuring continuous access for pedestrians/cyclists along the river from tidal to freshwater is important, at present there is not complete accessibility here I’ve been told.

Welcome the consideration of solar and green roofs- there is an opportunity to deliver these concurrently through a bio-solar roof. Green roofs could also be used on bus stop shelters and bike shelters etc. Green walls are another opportunity to benefit air quality, carbon, climate change, cooling, and greening- leading to a more attractive environment for proposed users.

It would be good to understand the number of housing that would be created and subsequently the number of affordable/independent and affordable to rent homes that would be delivered as part of the masterplan? I know this is usually in more detailed planning, but it would be helpful to understand how many homes (circa) would be delivered to understand the potential impacts on the city centre. In addition the size and tenure of these units recognising the current under supply of Temporary Accommodation in Colchester and the impact this is having on both Colchester citizens but also the budgets of the council.

What additional infrastructure is being considered to ensure the environment supports mobility and safety for the communal areas and public realm specifically as some of the homes will be for independent living (additional to blue parking and drop curbs mentioned i.e., changing places toilets, ramps). Is there a plan for some of the communal spaces that supports the aging population with accessibility, dementia and learning disability needs?

Is there a consideration on the tenure for the affordable housing options and use (specifically social- rented), although homes are affordable, the cost of living for a city centre is high (i.e., shopping, food, travel expense etc.) especially when this relates to families?

Some of the homes are high-density, consideration around types of affordable tenure (shared ownership, social-rent) and unit mixes i.e. families, singles, couples, a high proportion of young people can sometimes cause ASB close to city centres, so needs to ensure effective management.

In recognition of the changing nature of the retail sector has consideration been made to future proofing retail units so their use can be changed moving forward or any future driving need to move to smaller units or a more balanced hospitality/retail

The design of open spaces should not include anti rough sleeping devices such as spikes, recognizing Colchester citizens who rough sleeper should have access to the amenities too. Rough Sleepers often are the biggest users of open spaces and as such would have a valid input into their design and possibly their maintenance, noting Rough Sleeper CIC's such as Putting Down Roots in London have been very good at offering a local garden maintenance service at competitive prices, while at the same time offering rough sleepers horticulture qualifications, volunteering and employment opportunities.


Green Infrastructure (GI)

We are keen to ensure that GI is incorporated within the plan as far as possible and that it is of high quality aligning with the Essex Green Infrastructure Strategy | Place Services and Essex Green Infrastructure Standards | Essex Design Guide. GI can also be integrated into other areas of the masterplan not just within the environment and landscape sections (the Standards contains example policies on this).

Connectivity: The interconnectivity of natural environment, flood protection and water management, outdoor sport and open space, and public realm is an important part of the GI network and shouldn’t be seen or treated in silo. The right design and location, wide range of functions and benefits of GI can fulfil people and wildlife, the interactions should be emphasised. I.e. Every effort needs to 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 GI for the benefit of the new community and existing communities. We recommend including ‘improvements or greening the public realm (i.e., street trees, dual purpose street furniture with planters, rain gardens etc)’. I can see this coming through in the St Botolphs area but I would recommend multifunctional greenways are used to connect fragmented green spaces across the city, but also along active travel routes to both encourage active travel and create a green corridor for wildlife. This could include, but not be limited to, the integration of nature focused SuDS; native hedgerows, tree and shrub planting; incidental ‘play on the way’ features / trails; informal sport (outdoor gym/fitness trails); and areas for seating to stop and rest.

Ensuring continuous access for pedestrians/cyclists along the river from tidal to freshwater is important, at present there is not complete accessibility here I’ve been told.

Welcome the consideration of solar and green roofs- there is an opportunity to deliver these concurrently through a bio-solar roof. Green roofs could also be used on bus stop shelters and bike shelters etc. Green walls are another opportunity to benefit air quality, carbon, climate change, cooling, and greening- leading to a more attractive environment for proposed users.