Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025

The site is located opposite the Grade II* Church of St Margaret and St Catherine (LEN 1170063). Although the Council’s Heritage Impact Assessment notes that the church is screened by a tree belt, the site forms part of a wider rural landscape that contributes to its setting, and development could therefore affect the church’s significance.

Initial assessment

Effects uncertain. While development here could be acceptable, HIA required to confirm the site’s suitability from a historic environment perspective and to identify appropriate mitigation measures or opportunities for enhancement. The resulting recommendations should then be incorporated into criterion ‘g’ of the policy.

The site is located to the immediate north-west of two Grade II listed buildings, on the edge of the historic Green.

Initial assessment

Effects uncertain. While development here could be acceptable, a proforma Heritage Impact Assessment will be required to confirm the site’s suitability from a historic environment perspective and to identify appropriate mitigation measures or opportunities for enhancement. The resulting recommendations should then be incorporated into criterion ‘h’ of the policy.

We have concerns regarding the potential allocation of this site, which is located to the south-west of the Messing Conservation Area. The Conservation Area includes several listed buildings, most notably the Grade II* Church of All Saints (Messing) (LEN 1224665). The Council’s Heritage Impact Assessment Sift Report notes that the site is prominent within the rural landscape setting of the Conservation Area and listed buildings. Therefore, development here has the potential to affect the significance of these heritage assets through changes within their setting.

Initial assessment

Effects uncertain. Due to this sensitivity, a full Heritage Impact Assessment, rather than the Proforma HIA recommended by the Sift Report, will be required before the next draft of the Plan. This assessment should determine whether the site is suitable from a historic environment perspective and identify any mitigation measures or opportunities for enhancement to be incorporated into criterion ‘g’.

We have concerns regarding the potential allocation of this site which is located within the setting of several listed buildings, most notably the Grade I Church of St Mary the Virgin (LEN 1224702) - development here has the potential to diminish key views of the Church that contributes to its significance.

Initial assessment

Effects uncertain. Due to this sensitivity, a full Heritage Impact Assessment, rather than the Proforma HIA recommended by the Sift Report, will be required before the next draft of the Plan. This assessment should determine whether the site is suitable from a historic environment perspective and identify any mitigation measures or opportunities for enhancement to be incorporated into criterion ‘h’.