Consultation on Colchester Submission Draft Local Plan

The Submission Draft Local Plan represents the final version of the Plan that the Council intends to submit to the Secretary of State for independent examination. It sets out the vision, strategy, site allocations and development management policies to guide development in Colchester to 2043.

The consultation will run from:
Friday 28 August to 4pm on Tuesday 13 October 2026

Making a Representation

At this stage, representations are invited on whether the Local Plan is:

• Legally compliant, and
• Sound (i.e. positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy)

All representations received by 4pm on Tuesday 13 October 2026 will be submitted to the Secretary of State alongside the Local Plan for independent examination.

We strongly encourage all responses to be submitted via our online consultation portal: https://colchester.oc2.uk/

The online consultation portal allows respondents to upload your documents, comment directly on policies, and record a summary of your representations. The portal also allows you to track your submission through the MY ACCOUNT feature, ensuring accuracy and enabling the Planning Policy Team to focus on reviewing representations efficiently.

If you experience any difficulties using the portal, please contact:
local.plan@colchester.gov.uk for assistance.

Viewing the Documents

The Submission Draft Local Plan, and supporting documents, including the Policies Maps, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulations Assessment and evidence base, are available to view online: Colchester.gov.uk/NewLocalPlan

Paper copies of the Submission Draft Local Plan, Policies Map, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment are available to view at: Colchester Town Hall (9am -5pm Monday to Friday) and the following libraries: Colchester, Greenstead, Prettygate, Stanway, Tiptree, West Mersea and Wivenhoe. The library opening times can be found here: https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/digital-content/our-library-locations-and-opening-times

These can be viewed during normal opening hours.

Further Information

This consultation represents the final opportunity to comment on the Local Plan before it is submitted for independent examination. Following submission, an independent Planning Inspector will examine the Plan, taking into account the representations received. If you wish to participate in the Independent Examination, you need to submit a representation to this consultation.

If you have any queries, please contact the Planning Policy Team: local.plan@colchester.gov.uk

A copy of the Statement of Representations Procedure and Availability of Documents is attached to this email.

Data Protection

All comments will be published on our website and consultation portal in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation. For further information about how your data is processed, please visit: www.colchester.gov.uk/privacy-policy/

See the following detail for Layer de la Haye and the surrounds:

• Policy PP10: Land South of Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester
• Policy PP39: Land at The Furze, Layer de la Haye
• Policy PP40: Land West of The Folley, Layer de la Haye
• Policy PP40a: Malting Green Road, Layer de la Haye

Other elements you may wish to consider responding to:

• 7. Net Zero Homes and Buildings, Renewable Energy and Water (re drain and water problems in The Folley for example)
• 10. Community and Social Infrastructure (re all the infrastructure concerns)

How to comment:

When you click on each of the links above, it takes you to the relevant section.  Each individual policy has it’s own description.  At the top of each section, there is a map button which shows you where the proposed site is, as well as a comment button which allows you to enter your comments. If you don’t have an account, you may be asked to create one which is straight forward.

• When commenting, you will first be asked if you want to support or object – select the appropriate button.
• Then you will be asked if you consider the plan element to be legally compliant and sound – select the appropriate buttons.
• After this you then are presented with two comment boxes to fill in.
• After filling in those boxes, you are offered the chance to attach any supporting documents
• You are then asked if you need to participate in the examination hearing sessions
• Finally, before submission, you are asked if you have raised these issues in previous consultation rounds

Click here for more detail.