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
Policy NZ1: Net Zero Carbon Development (in operation)
Representation ID: 13987
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
The principals established by NZ1 are welcomed but the Policy should be re-written to allow
for greater flexibility and adherence to the Building Regulations and market requirements at
the time of development. Policy NZ1 could become a policy which limits the ambition and
commitment of a development, whereas a more flexible approach can encourage developers
to be more ambitious.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy NZ3: Wastewater and Water Supply
Representation ID: 13988
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
It is understood that water companies have a statutory duty to provide the necessary
connections to future development, yet the Policy can be used to restrict development
coming forward where there is a lack of capacity.
The Local Plan should be outlining the areas for future growth and in conjunction with service
providers ensuring this can be accommodated with any necessary improvements coming
forward in a timely manner to avoid delays to delivery across Colchester.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy H1: Housing Mix
Representation ID: 13989
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
Policy H1 should be amended to allow for greater flexibility and allow applicants to consider
the mix of units on a development site based on up-to-date evidence. Policy H1 should be
the starting point to provide certainty for applicants but we are concerned it will be
used in a strict manner by decision makers and provide reasons for refusal that would be
based on evidence which is “not” up to date. The
Council will need to be justified in their approach to mix as the plan evolves but also allow for flexibility as needs evolve over the plan period.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy H2: Affordable Housing
Representation ID: 13990
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
Hopkins Homes accept the requirement for affordable housing to be provided on site
although welcome the flexibility within the policy for alternative provision subject to viability
considerations on a case-by-case basis.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy PC2: Active and Sustainable Travel
Representation ID: 13991
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
The Government is clear that Local Plan policies should provide certainty for all and that
applicants can find all the relevant information within the plan and its supporting evidence
base. Policy PC2 as currently written fails to do this and the Council needs to reconsider
their approach and include the circumstances under which a Transport Statement and Travel
Plan are required within their Local Plan and not defer to guidance which is prepared outside
of the Local Plan making process.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy PC4: Development Density
Representation ID: 13992
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
The policy needs to be clear as to the weight to be given to other provision and requirements
and provide clarity as to expectations and priority for ensuring efficient use of land, alongside
delivering the level of development and housing numbers required.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy PC6: Design and Amenity
Representation ID: 13993
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
The extensive range of criteria provides opportunity for conflict between the requirements
and without allowing for flexibility in approach it is unclear as to how a development proposal
can meet each of the elements listed a-r.
Policy PC6 should be amended to either consolidate the range of criteria or include some
additional wording to highlight the flexibility that the Council will accept and the weight to be
given to each in the decision making process.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy PC7: Residential Schemes on Greenfield Sites
Representation ID: 13994
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
We are also concerned that Policy PC7 relies on guidance which is adopted outside of the
Local Plan process. For example, PC7(i) makes reference to “back-to-back distances should
comply with adopted guidance….” yet fails to detail what these distances and requirements
are.
It is also unclear how the policy will be implemented alongside other policies within the Local
Plan, such as the site allocation policies which also detail a variety of site-specific criteria that
can influence the design and layout of a proposed site.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
Comment
Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025
Policy PC8: Private Amenity Space
Representation ID: 13995
Received: 14/01/2026
Respondent: Boyer
The range of site-specific allocation policies detail the approximate quantum of development
expected on a site. When this is considered against the policy requirements relating to
canopy cover, density development, parking, open space and drainage the Council will need
to be confident that proposals are capable of making efficient use of land in accordance with
the NPPF.
Hopkins Homes are pleased to see that the Council has identified the land north of
Colchester Road as a site-specific allocation and included Policy PP43 within the Preferred
Options consultation draft.
We agree with the Council that the site is a suitable location for future residential
development and can be delivered within the plan period to make a significant contribution to
housing delivery and meeting the housing needs of Colchester.
Please see attached document for the rest of our representations.
