Colchester City Centre Masterplan SPD

On behalf of Friends of Castle Park – Colchester we wish to express our concern over suggestions in the master Plan that the river running through the park could be animated and developed as a social and economic driver.

Under ‘Public realm, Open Space and Landscape Urban Design Strategy’.
‘The river is currently an untapped asset.’
‘Animating it and using it to it’s full potential as a social and economic driver’
‘Riverside access for paddle boarding, swimming and canoeing’.

We are dismayed to find that that the authors of this document regard the river as inanimate and a space suitable for economic development. The river, as it passes through the park is an important wildlife corridor, supporting a wide range of wildlife. These include otters, kingfishers, cormorants, heron, more recently egret have been seen. These fish feeding birds all testify to the health of the river in supporting a good fish population. Add to this a wide range of dragonflies, some rarely seen, and myriad smaller creatures who all add to the rich diversity of wildlife to be found in this part of the river. There is also to be found the more commonly seen swans and moorhens, all who nest on the river, and the various species of ducks who use the river.

With the path running through the park following the river, and the pedestrian bridges over the river, the life on the river is enjoyed and appreciated by many. It is a place to watch and learn more about the creatures we share our world with, especially important for young people. At this time when we are understanding more urgently the importance of protecting the diversity of the natural world in order for our planet to remain a liveable place for us, these opportunities for people to appreciate the natural world around them are a vital resource.

The river is a calm and beautiful place. We are understanding more fully the importance to our own wellbeing of spending time in such places. The mental health of our population is becoming a source of concern. Quiet, naturally beautiful places, are recognised as being of great benefit to us and to be valued.

The river through Castle Park is far from inanimate. It is a place of special value, of which we are custodians, responsible for protecting and taking care of it, not only for the wildlife whose habitat it is, but also for our own safety and wellbeing. On these grounds we object to the suggestion that the river should be regarded as ‘ an untapped resource, in need of animating and developed as a social and economic driver’.