Essex Coast RAMS

Details about the Habitat Regulations Assessment - Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS)

Essex Coast RAMS and what Colchester City Council is doing

The Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) helps protect wildlife along the Essex coastline while allowing new homes and other qualifying developments to be built.

It is a partnership-led approach that manages the additional recreational pressure created by visitors from new residential developments. This helps protect important coastal habitats, bird populations and internationally designated habitat sites.

The strategy allows planned housing growth to take place lawfully and sustainably while meeting the requirements of the Habitats Regulations.

Review of the strategy

The original Essex Coast RAMS was developed in 2018 and 2019 to mitigate the effects of planned housing growth up to around 2038.

The strategy was reviewed in 2025 because:

  • planned housing growth across Essex had changed significantly
  • the original strategy did not include sufficient long-term cost planning
  • a five-year review was required

The review ensures that the strategy remains fit for purpose, evidence-led and legally robust.

RAMS contribution

From 1 August 2026, the RAMS contribution is £476 for each dwelling.

The contribution applies to all residential development within the Zone of Influence. The whole of the Colchester district is within this area.

All residential development proposals in the district must contribute towards the measures set out in the RAMS. These measures help avoid and mitigate the effects of increased recreational disturbance on protected habitat sites.

This helps ensure that development:

  • does not adversely affect protected habitat sites
  • complies with the Habitats Regulations

More information