Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
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Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
2. Vision and approach to Local Plan
Representation ID: 13662
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
Anglian Water welcomes the vision for creating a better environment and well-connected green networks but suggests expanding it to show how these measures support climate change mitigation and nature recovery. The Thriving East report highlights Essex as the most populous county in the region (1.9 million people) and ranks the area as England’s second most challenged after London. The greatest challenge for Essex is Nature and Environment, with poor river quality, degraded SSSIs, and limited private outdoor space. Climate projections indicate low rainfall, highest average temperatures, and above-average population growth, underscoring the need for robust, locally focused environmental strategies.
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
2. Vision and approach to Local Plan
Representation ID: 13693
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
Themes and objectives
Sustainable:
(First bullet point) It is unclear what 'green water' is meant to signify and the
term 'wastewater' on its own is slightly abstract in terms of broader
infrastructure delivery to support growth. Would it be simpler to state:
"Improve existing facilities, and deliver sustainable and resilient
infrastructure, including a multifunctional green network and waterways,
utilities, roads, and schools."
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST2: Environment and the Green Network and Waterways
Representation ID: 13695
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
It should be clear how a Green Network and Waterways Plan is prepared to
avoid duplication in other reports and assessments needed to support the
submission of planning applications. As a 'green infrastructure' led approach,
we agree that the plan could form part of the Design and Access Statement,
or for strategic sites, part of the masterplanning process. It is noted that
further detail on the Green Network and Waterways principles is provided in
Policy GN1.
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST3: Spatial Strategy
Representation ID: 13697
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
Anglian Water supports the Spatial Strategy’s focus on directing growth to sustainable locations, particularly Colchester, and stresses the importance of the Water Cycle Study in guiding site phasing and infrastructure delivery. Aligning development with water resource sustainability and wastewater capacity is critical. Anglian Water is committed to enabling growth and is working with stakeholders and regulators to address capacity challenges, including policy changes to allow strategic investment and developer contributions. Collaboration with Defra’s Water Delivery Taskforce is ongoing to resolve dry weather flow constraints at Colchester WRC, ensuring sufficient capacity for planned growth, including the Tendring-Colchester Borders Garden Community.
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST4: Development in the Countryside
Representation ID: 13699
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
The policy does not specifically reference the delivery of utility services
/infrastructure in the countryside, which would include critical water and
wastewater infrastructure to serve existing and future communities. We would suggest that the policy could be more
positively framed to address these types of developments.
We request the policy is amended in this regard to state:
Proposals for the delivery and operation of essential utilities
infrastructure, where there is a proven need and a countryside location is
essential for the delivery of those utilities, will be supported where
they accord with other policies in the development plan
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST5: Colchester's Housing Need
Representation ID: 13700
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
Anglian Water notes the significant increase in housing requirements following the December 2024 NPPF revision, with 1,300 dwellings per year—much higher than the current plan—requiring diverse sites and opportunities. The main challenge will be addressing infrastructure shortfalls that could delay delivery. Existing commitments of 6,117 dwellings already have planning consent and a statutory right to connect to water and wastewater networks, regardless of capacity constraints. Anglian Water must manage this growth and relies on the planning system to ensure development is sustainable and environmental risks are mitigated. The Stage 2 Water Cycle Study identifies capacity issues and recommends policy measures.
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST6: Colchester's Employment Needs
Representation ID: 13702
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
Anglian Water's current position in terms of non-domestic water requests is
set out in our Non-Domestic Water Requests Policy and will be particularly
relevant for certain types of employment growth in manufacturing/industrial
sectors.
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST7: Infrastructure Delivery and Impact Mitigation
Representation ID: 13705
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
AW supports the policy requiring development to be backed by necessary infrastructure. However, the significant housing uplift may be constrained by wastewater capacity, as the current Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP 2025–2050) predates recent national policy changes. This growth will be factored into DWMP28 (due 2028), but short-term delivery may be delayed where major investment is needed. The Plan should reflect these constraints through phased housing trajectories. DWMPs are now statutory under the Environment Act 2021, addressing long-term challenges like climate change and asset health. The Stage 2 Water Cycle Study identifies sites needing capacity upgrades, including Colchester WRC.
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST8: Place Shaping Principles
Representation ID: 13706
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
Anglian Water supports the strategic policy promoting high design standards and welcomes place-making principles that integrate green networks and waterways, aligning with climate adaptation goals such as flood risk mitigation and biodiverse sustainable drainage systems. We also endorse references to water efficiency and appropriate water supply and wastewater measures, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable and resilient water system. Integrated water management, including rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and recycling, can reinforce resilience and reduce wastewater volumes requiring treatment at water recycling centres. These measures deliver environmental benefits and support long-term sustainability for growth across Colchester.
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
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy ST9: The Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community
Representation ID: 13707
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Anglian Water Services
Agent: Anglian Water Services
Anglian Water supports the policy, which ensures that land is allocated for
TCBGC. Anglian Water engaged on the preparation of the Development Plan
Document for the Garden Community, and we have welcomed the policy
approach taken to set principles for a sustainable and resilient community.
As indicated in our response to Policy ST3 Spatial Strategy, Anglian Water is
proactively working with the Council and stakeholders to address the
capacity challenges at Colchester WRC, which is a key focus for growth,
including delivery of TCBGC.
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
