Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025

Comment

Representation ID: 14254

Received: 18/01/2026

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England supports the HRA’s conclusions and the proposed next steps, including updating the assessment to incorporate AADT traffic modelling—particularly for the A137—and the completed Water Cycle Study to inform water quantity and quality policies. They reiterate previous advice that wintering bird surveys are required for allocations with potential functionally linked land. They also note that ongoing review of the Essex Coast RAMS may update Zones of Influence and clarify when SANG is needed for likely significant effects. Finally, they advise that site allocations should reference relevant Local Plan policy numbers throughout the document for clarity.