Residents, businesses and community organisations are invited to help shape Colchester’s future by commenting on the proposed new Local Plan.
The latest consultation runs from Friday 28 August until Tuesday 13 October 2026 and focuses on the Submission Draft Local Plan, which will help guide how Colchester grows and develops up to 2043.
The Local Plan sets out where new homes, jobs and infrastructure could be located, alongside policies to protect and enhance the environment, heritage and green spaces.
Shaped by previous feedback
The Submission Draft Local Plan has been shaped by evidence, technical studies and public feedback, including a scoping consultation in 2023/24 and the Preferred Options (Regulation 18) consultation in December 2025.
The Submission Draft Local Plan has been shaped by evidence, technical studies and public feedback, including a scoping consultation in 2023/24 and the Preferred Options (Regulation 18) consultation in December 2025.
Feedback from residents, businesses, parish councils and other stakeholders helped shape the latest version of the plan.
As a result of comments received, alternative sites are proposed in several locations, including sites in Eight Ash Green, West Bergholt and Peldon. New brownfield development opportunities have also been added in urban areas following calls to make greater use of previously developed land.
In Marks Tey, earlier proposals have been replaced with a new strategic growth area approach designed to support a more comprehensive vision for future development.
The council has also strengthened environmental protections in North East Colchester, including additional safeguards for wildlife habitats, landscape character and settlement separation. New policies have been introduced to support sustainable transport and connectivity, while a new policy has been added to address the unique planning circumstances of Mersea Island.
What is different about this consultation?
The previous consultation asked people for their views on a range of options and potential approaches for future development.
The previous consultation asked people for their views on a range of options and potential approaches for future development.
This consultation is different because it focuses on the version of the Local Plan the council expects to submit for independent examination. Responses to this consultation will be considered by an independent Government Planning Inspector.
Comments at this stage will help determine whether the plan has been prepared correctly, is supported by appropriate evidence and meets national planning requirements.
Residents can still comment on specific sites, proposals and policies, but the focus is on whether the proposed plan is justified, effective and supported by evidence.
Where are we in the process?
Preparing a new Local Plan is a long process involving evidence gathering, consultation and independent review.
Preparing a new Local Plan is a long process involving evidence gathering, consultation and independent review.
The council has already completed earlier stages of plan preparation, including public consultation on issues and options, preferred options and proposed growth locations. Feedback from those consultations has been used to refine the plan now being published.
Following this consultation, the Local Plan and all representations received will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Planning Inspector.
The Inspector will review the plan, consider the comments submitted and determine whether any changes are needed before it can be formally adopted.
Councillor Martin Parsons, Chair of the Local Plan Committee, said: “Councillors on the local plan committee faced the profoundly uncomfortable choice between a plan, which allocates sites for the thousands of houses the government requires the council to identify, despite strong objections from residents, or having no plan.
Having no plan would effectively hand over control to developers who would be able to apply to build even larger housing estates anywhere – and be likely to be given permission to do so by government planning inspectors until Colchester was able to identify sufficient land to meet the government housebuilding target.”
Councillor Paul Dundas, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: "The housing targets in the new Local Plan are driven by national policy and are not numbers the council has chosen itself. However, not having a Local Plan is not a realistic alternative.
"Without an up-to-date plan, we would have less influence over where development takes place, reduced ability to secure infrastructure alongside growth and greater exposure to speculative development proposals.
"While preparing a Local Plan involves difficult choices, it remains the best way to ensure growth is planned rather than left to chance, and I would encourage residents to take part in this consultation."
Have your say
Residents can find out more information, view the Submission Local Plan and supporting documents, and submit their representations by visiting:
www.colchester.gov.uk/NewLocalPlan
Residents can find out more information, view the Submission Local Plan and supporting documents, and submit their representations by visiting:
www.colchester.gov.uk/NewLocalPlan
Paper copies are also available to view at Colchester Town Hall and local libraries during normal opening hours.
This is the last opportunity to comment on the Local Plan before it is submitted for examination. If you wish to participate in the Independent Examination, you need to submit a representation to this consultation.