Draft Plan Consultation Starts on Monday 14th March
Members of the public and stakeholders can have their say on a Draft Plan (or Development Plan Document) for the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community (TCBGC), following approval from members of the TCBGC Joint Committee for a public consultation. The consultation will start on Monday 14 March and will run for six weeks, concluding on Monday 25 April, at 5pm.
The Draft Plan for the TCBGC contains policies, visions, and a preferred masterplan layout option for the development. The policies in the Draft Plan include: Development at the Garden Community; Land Uses and Spatial Approach; Community and Social Infrastructure; Buildings, Places and Character; Economic Activity and Employment; Movement and Connections; Sustainable Infrastructure; Nature; and Infrastructure Delivery and Impact Mitigation.
Residents and stakeholders are being invited to comment on the Draft Plan during the consultation period. Once the consultation ends, the Councils will look at every comment received and consider what updates need to be made as they work towards the final version of the Plan.
The final version of the Plan will then go out for another consultation at the end of 2022, before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for consideration in an ‘Examination in Public’ in 2023. Once the Plan is formally adopted by the Councils in 2023, any future planning applications to develop the Garden Community must conform to the policies set out in the Plan.
Tendring District Council’s Cllr Nick Turner, Chairman of the TCBGC Joint Committee said “The Draft Plan for the Garden Community has been produced following a large programme of engagement with the community and stakeholders. It sets out our clear ambitions to make this community an exemplary place to live, with plenty of green space, along with the protection of existing settlements in the area. Please share your comments on our Draft Plan as your input is really important to us.”
Colchester Borough Council’s Cllr Paul Dundas, Deputy Chairman of the TCBGC Joint Committee said “It’s really important that we get our plans right for the Garden Community. It needs to be a development that brings benefits to our residents and local area and it’s vital that to make it succeed we reflect what local people want to see in the new Garden Community. While this won’t be the only opportunity to comment on the plans, I would urge as many people as possible to take the time to read the proposals and comment on them.”
Cllr Lesley Wagland, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning at Essex County Council added "The formation of the joint committee of Colchester, Tendring and Essex Councils marks an important step in progressing the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community. I’m very pleased to be part of this Committee, with my ECC colleague Cllr Tom Cunningham, which is the first of its kind in Essex. I'd urge as many people as possible to share their comments on our Draft Plan, to help us all shape the future of North Essex".
The Draft Plan, comment forms and all supporting documentation, can be viewed online at talk.tcbgardencommunity.co.uk. For anyone without internet access a Freepost address is available. Residents should write to Freepost TCB GC for more information.
