Tendring Council Issues and Options 2015 Consultation

Deadline: Tuesday 13 October 2015.

Tendring Council are currently running a consultation on their 'Local Plan Issues and Options 2015' document, starting Tuesday 1 September 2015 and ending on Tuesday 13 October 2015.

The possible 'Colchester Fringe' development to the East of Colchester is mentioned.

The consulation is described here:

Tendring District Local Plan: Issues and Options 2015

I have put together a draft response (below), which can be emailed to:

planning.policy@tendringdc.gov.uk

Please see the above-linked webpage for more details on other ways to respond, and other information.

Please feel free to amend my answers to fit your views, and add other answers if you read the document from the web page linked above. You might want to highlight parts of your answers different from mine below, to be sure the council take note of them.

Anonymous responses will not be accepted, so you must include your contact details. The council will publicly publish responses, but I assume contact details will not be included - please check the web page above, or contact Tendring Council if you are worried about this.

By email (or post):

[Start of email or letter]

Email Subject: Response to Tendring District Local Plan: Issues and Options 2015 Consultation

To: The Planning Policy Manager,
Planning Department,
Tendring District Council,
Council Offices,
Thorpe Road,
Weeley,
Clacton-on-Sea,
Essex,
CO16 9AJ
Email: planning.policy@tendringdc.gov.uk

From: [Your name here]
[Your Address Here]
Email: [Your email address here]
Telephone: [Your telephone number here - this may not be necessary]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Here are my answers to selected questions from your Issues and Options 2015 document.

Please personally send me confirmation of receipt of this email and display my comments, without my personal details, on your web site.

Question 1

Do you agree that creating the conditions for economic growth and creating new jobs should be a top priority for the Local Plan?

It should be a priority, but it has to be balanced against the other equally, or more, important priorities of conserving heritage and the natural environment.

Question 5

Do you agree that we need to plan for the right number of new homes, of the right size, type and tenure to be built and in the right locations for current and future generations?

The council should also think about why so many new homes are needed, and whether there are any policies which could be put in place to reduce the number needed in future, perhaps by co-operating with national government.

Question 7

Do you have any other comments or suggestions about housing development?

Many modern housing developments are a mishmash of different styles, often side-by-side. This looks awful. More control should be placed on housing developers, so that estates have a uniform, attractive appearance.

The following extract from an email to a Colchester East Action Group member from the Department for Communities and Local Government, received this year, states that good design of external appearance can be required by councils:

"The [NPPF] Framework also states that local and neighbourhood plans should develop robust and comprehensive policies that set out the quality of development that will be expected for the area and that planning policies and decisions should aim to ensure that developments are visually attractive as a result of good architecture and appropriate landscaping. It also encourages local planning authorities to consider using design codes where they could help deliver high quality outcomes."

This information has been sent on to Tendring Council planning department.

Also, the NPPF states that planning should always seek to secure high quality design and adds at paragraph 56: "Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, is indivisible from good planning." and at paragraph 64: "Permission should be refused for development of poor design that fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area.."

The new local plan should include provisions for requiring high-quality external appearance of new buildings and the developments they are in.

Question 13

Do you agree that protecting and enhancing the environment is an important issue for this Local Plan?

Yes, it is very important. The environment is crucial for education, cultural development and general wellbeing.

Heritage assets should all be preserved and well maintained.

Question 14

Do you have any thoughts about how the Council, through the Local Plan, should go about addressing this issue?

Wildlife habitats and landscapes should all be protected through appropriate designations, to prevent them being spolit in any way.

Question 17

Do you agree with the vision for the future of Tendring set out above?

Regarding the 'Colchester Fringe' development, when is comes to be considered:

The East side of Colchester is already well-developed, but has some well-used and important green open spaces nearby which are valued by the public, and are important for wildlife. These green open spaces, stretching to a distance of at least 1.5km away from existing development, should be untouched by new development, as described later in this answer. Too much new development directly on the Eastern border of existing developed areas of Colchester would create an unpleasant and unmanageable urban sprawl.

Furthermore, Tendring Council, by introducing a significant amount of residential or other development into the countryside to the East of Colchester, would materially harm the character and appearance of the rural area contrary to the objectives of national policy (National Planning Policy Framework, 2012, paragraph 17, 5th bullet point; paragraph 109; and paragraph 81 is also related, although paragraph 81 is specific to Green Belts). This may also contravene local planning policy.

Local and national policy should collectively recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, seek to enhance the rural landscape and visual amenity of any Green Belt or general green land, and prevent development conspicuous from within any Green Belt or general green land which would have an excessive impact on rural character.

If there is to be new development to the East of Colchester, there should be a buffer of green, completely undeveloped land of 1.5km around Salary Brook.
This protected 'Salary Brook Valley' would include the Salary Brook itself, plus currently-undeveloped land 1.5km either side of the brook, along its entire length between Ardleigh and where the brook meets the River Colne.

One of the Colchester community groups organised an e-Petition with Colchester Council called 'Save Salary Brook Valley' which has nearly 800 signatories.

Please also take into account all objections to the 'Colchester Fringe' proposals received during your 6th January 2014 to 17th February 2014 public consultation.

Question 22

Are these the right planning policies to help the Council deliver sustainable development?

Green gaps of significant size between developments are very important, both for people and wildlife.

Green gaps of, say, at least 2km between developments per 1,000 dwellings in each development should be considered.

Question 26

Are these the right planning policies to help the Council plan for people?

Green infrastructure and green gaps are very important, both for people and wildlife.

Question 28

Are these the right planning policies to help the Council plan for places?

Regarding heritage, all listed buildings, conservation areas and scheduled monuments should be preserved and maintained at all costs. Other heritage assets should be protected by a generous local list.
Other, unlisted, heritage assets should also be preserved and maintained.

Regarding nature conservation, important wildlife sites should be protected, but it should also be realised that these sites may not work on their own - they need a buffer of countryside suitable for wildlife around them.

Data Protection

I understand that any comments submitted cannot be treated as private and confidential and may be made available for public inspection. Respondents’ details will be held on a database in accordance with the terms of Tendring District Council’s registration with the UK Information Commissioner pursuant to the Data Protection Act 1998.

[End of Email or Letter]

Comments on Summer 2015 'Focus on Longridge' Newsletter from the St. Anne's Lib Dems

I received this newsletter on 14 June 2015.

Here are my comments on the section 'Preserving the Salary Brook Valley' in the newsletter.

I am disappointed with what is being done by the St. Anne's Lib Dems, as reported in the newsletter, because they seem to have missed three important things:

- There was no mention of the crucially important Colchester Council public consultation which was run in January 2015 and covered development plans in these areas, the results of which were released at a Colchester Local Plan Committe meeting on 8 June 2015. See my previous blog post. This consultation received over 600 responses from residents around Colchester, but the St. Anne's Lib Dems barely publicised it - hence only a small fraction of the responses were from our area. Also, the St Annes Lib Dems have not published any analysis of the consultation responses with regard to our area, hence I had to do what I could, see my previous blog post!

- The St. Annes' Lib Dems are not publicising the meetings of the Colchester Council Local Plan Committee, where the new development proposals are discussed. I think they should, and they should provide a summary of discussions that occurred which are relevant to our area.

- I think the St Anne's Lib Dems should have contacted Colchester's new MP regarding the possible development to the East of Colchester. According to an article in the Daily Gazette, they have spoken to him about security concerns at a local community centre, but I've seen nothing about the possible enormous development to the East of Colchester!

Frankly, if there is room in the newsletter to talk about a new salt bin (on page 2), there would have been room for the above, if there was any news, so we have to assume there hasn't been.

Let's hope the St. Anne's Lib Dems buck their ideas up so that I can spend time on other things, rather than analysing these issues!

Regards
James
Colchester East Action Group (CHEAG)
Blog: http://cheag.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colchestereastactiongroup

My Comments on Responses to January 2015 Colchester Consultation

I've had a look online through the responses to the January 2015 Colchester consultation and I found these of particular interest:

Essex Wildlife Trust, see here. (Archived by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

Colchester Natural History Society, see here. (Archived by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

Responses from other groups, see here. (Archived by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

Natural England (under 'Public Bodies'), see here. (Archived by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

Tony and Lisa Barker, see here. (Archived by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

Sir Bob Russell, see here, here and here. (Archived here, here, and here by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

Cllrs Cook, Hogg and Chuah, see here. (Archived by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

Also, I saw eleven responses that used the template letter from this blog.

Regarding the historical environment of Colchester in general:
English Heritage (under 'Public Bodies'), see here. (Archived by WebCite® on 19 July 2015.)

I think it's a shame that the politicians (Sir Bob Russell and the councillors above) didn't publicise the consultation more to residents of East Colchester. East Colchester had the fewest responses from residents out of all the areas, according to my check of the responses online.

Regards
James
Colchester East Action Group (CHEAG)
Blog: http://cheag.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colchestereastactiongroup

Colchester Council Update on January 2015 Consulation

I received the following email from Colchester Council, regarding the January 2015 public consultation. (Please email me if you want the contact details which I have removed from the email before posting on this blog.)

Subject: Local Plan - Issues & Options
From: Charlotte Allen
Date: Mon 15/06/2015 15:22

Dear Consultee,

Thank you for your response to Colchester Borough Council’s consultation on the Local Plan Issues and Options document. All responses can now be viewed on-line (with all personal details redacted). Additionally, a summary table of responses and a report on the consultation are also available.

The Council is now developing a draft plan based on consultation responses, up-to-date evidence and planning policy requirements. Consultation on a Preferred Options version of the plan is programmed for early 2016, and you will be kept informed of details of this consultation and all other further opportunities to be involved with the plan-making process.

Please feel free to contact the Planning Policy team if you have any questions. [Contact details removed].

Regards
Planning Policy Team
Charlotte Allen
Support Assistant - Commercial Services
Colchester Borough Council
[Contact details removed]

Suggested Response to Colchester Local Plan Public Consultation, 16 January - 27 February 2015

1. Deadline

The deadline for responses to Colchester Council is 5pm, 27 February 2015.

It will really make a difference if you help by spreading the word to friends and neighbours.

2. Background

This consultation is about important issues to be decided for the future of the Colchester area. I suggest people read the following page:

Colchester Council: New Local Plan 2017-2032
Click Here

There is a lot of detail in the public consultation - the important thing for us is to just send some comments to the Council, we don't need to get bogged-down in all the information and issues.

The public consultation is described here:

Issues and Options Consultation (16 January - 27 February 2015)
Click Here

Please email me if you have any comments on what I have written here, there is an email button available from the 'View my complete profile' link under 'About Me' on this internet page.

3. Suggested Responses

There are two main ways to send comments to the council.

3.1 By Email (or Post)

Send your email to
planning.policy@colchester.gov.uk
This email address is on the consultation page linked above.

(Or send by post to: Spatial Policy Team, Colchester Borough Council, FREEPOST RLSL-ZTSR-SGYA, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1ZE.)

Suggested text of email (or letter) follows - please check that you agree, and edit as appropriate. You can just add any other ideas or opinions you have, they don't have to be answers to the questions listed.

(For anyone interested, the last part of the answer to question 29 below is adapted from the text of Appeal Ref APP/J1535/A/13/2201035 from The Planning Inspectorate, Point 16, regarding a separate planning application elsewhere in Essex.)

[Start of Email (or Letter)]

" re Colchester Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation, 16 January - 27 February 2015

Here are my answers to selected questions from your online questionnaire.

Please personally send me confirmation of receipt of this email and display my comments, without my personal details, on your web site.

29.Which option do you think would form the most appropriate strategy for the growth of the Borough and why?

Options 2A and 2B, which do not involve new development to the East of Colchester, are most appropriate because the East is already well-developed, and has some well-used and important green open spaces nearby which are valued by the public, and are important for wildlife. These green open spaces, stretching to a distance of at least 1.5km away from existing development, should be untouched by new development. Too much new development directly on the Eastern border of existing developed areas of Colchester would create an unpleasant and unmanageable urban sprawl. Please also see my answer to question 32.

Furthermore, Colchester Council, by introducing a significant amount of residential or other development into the countryside to the East of Colchester, would materially harm the character and appearance of the rural area contrary to the objectives of national policy (National Planning Policy Framework, 2012, paragraph 17, 5th bullet point; paragraph 109; and paragraph 81 is also related, although paragraph 81 is specific to Green Belts). This may also contravene local planning policy.

Local and national policy should collectively recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, seek to enhance the rural landscape and visual amenity of any Green Belt or general green land, and prevent development conspicuous from within any Green Belt or general green land which would have an excessive impact on rural character.

32. Should we look to have high densities if possible, if so, where do you think higher densities would be appropriate and why?

If there is to be new development to the East of Colchester, there should be a buffer of green, completely undeveloped land of 1.5km around Salary Brook.
This protected 'Salary Brook Valley' would include the Salary Brook itself, plus currently-undeveloped land 1.5km either side of the brook, along its entire length between Ardleigh and where the brook meets the River Colne.

25. Do you have any further comments to make on design and heritage related issues?

Many modern housing developments are a mishmash of different styles, often side-by-side. This looks awful. More control should be placed on housing developers, so that estates have a uniform, attractive appearance.
Heritage of all kinds, including architecture, is a very important part of Colchester, and utmost importance should be placed on preserving it.

28. Do you have any further comments to make about issues related to the Natural Environment?

The natural enviroment is a very important resource for Colchester, its people and its wildlife, and should be preserved as much as possible.

Please do not display my personal contact details on the internet.

Please let me know if you need more information from me.

From:
Your name.
Your postcode.
Your contact telephone number.
(Plus your full address if you want to send it)."

[End of Email (or Letter)]

If you have time, check that your response is included when the consultation results are published.

3.2 Using the Online Questionnaire

Find the text 'Complete the Issues and Options questionnaire.' in the 'Issues and Options Consultation (16 January - 27 February 2015)' web page linked above - you will need to 'Page Down' to find it because it is quite far down the web page and will probably not be shown on the first page of text you see after clicking-on the link.

Answer the questions as suggested above in the 'By Email' section, or as you see fit.

Just leave answers blank in the questionnaire where you don't have any comment - the council expect this.

I advise adding any ideas you think are relevant in your answers, even if you don't have time to fully check the council documents.

Regards
James
Colchester East Action Group (CHEAG)
Blog: http://cheag.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colchestereastactiongroup

Colchester Local Plan Consultation, 16 January 2015 - 27 February 2015

CHEAG and CECA will be jointly preparing a suggested response. Please watch this space or email me so I can send you updates, there is an email button available from the 'View my complete profile' link under 'About Me' on this internet page.

Please see the following Colchester Council pages:

New Local Plan 2017-2032
Click Here

Issues and Options Consultation (16 January - 27 February 2015)
Click Here
(This second page is actually linked from the first, but I included a link here for convenience.)

Please add your comments below.

Regards
James
Colchester East Action Group (CHEAG)
Blog: http://cheag.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colchestereastactiongroup