In recent decades Colchester has achieved exceptional and consistent growth in homes with a buoyant and diverse economy. It is a forward looking Borough with many facets. The historic walled hill town still commands the Colne valley with the former Hythe port to the east leading to Mersea Island and to the north the Stour Valley and Constable Country of the Dedham Vale AONB. Colchester is much more then Britain’s ‘Oldest Recorded Town’, with a rich and diverse history dating back to the Iron Age. Today Colchester is a diverse and thriving Borough, with a vibrant town centre at the heart of one of the country’s most dynamic and varied towns, surrounded by attractive rural settlements and important landscapes. It has a proud military history still hosting the Army Garrison whose built heritage is now celebrated in a regenerated conservation area. Today, the University of Essex is a key economic driver of business innovation and growth.

The town’s present character reflects a rich heritage, including its period as the Roman capital of Britain, its importance as a wool and cloth centre in medieval and Tudor times, and its focus as a hub for Victorian and 20th century industry with engineering and printing now eclipsed by creative business enterprises and the University Of Essex campus. The numerous archaeological sites, historic buildings, and conservation areas in the Borough celebrate this impressive heritage. These include the most complete Town Wall of Roman origin encircling the historic core, the Norman Castle and Castle Park in the heart of the Town Centre, and ‘Jumbo’, the Victorian water tower. The town is also defined by its hilltop setting and the green corridor through the Town provided by the River Colne Valley.

To the east of the town is an ecologically rich coastal environment as recognised by international and national designations. The attractive surrounding rural settlements also have a rich heritage, including the seafaring communities of Mersea Island and Wivenhoe, the former wool town of Dedham and the nationally famous jam-making centre of Tiptree.

Postwar growth to the present day has significantly enlarged the town and reflects changes in design thinking over this time:

• 1919-1950s – relatively low density garden city informed suburbs;
• 1960s-70s - the brave new modernist world of car-based highway infrastructure, pedestrianised shopping precincts, innovative housing estates where cars and pedestrians were segregated and monolithic building blocks;
• 1980s-90s – traditionally styled estates, though also characterised by detached housing and cul-de-sacs; and
• 2000s - the conscious return of relatively accessible and high density urban development.

Design quality is particularly relevant in Colchester today, given the need to generate local support for planned growth, attract inward investment, complement historic assets, minimise impact on landscape setting and promote sustainable transport in order to meet contemporary needs and aspirations. Not least this will help to ensure growth and regeneration leave a lasting positive place-making legacy.

Colchester Borough Council	Local guidance	Countywide / Subregional	Not currently available
Local Development Plan
Adopted Local Plan	●
Emerging Local Plan	●
Development Viability
Developer Contributions	●
Greater Essex Growth and Infrastructure Framework (GIF)		●
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)	●
Development and Urban Design
Neighbourhood planning	●
Planning Policy			●
Design Guidance	●
Parking Policy			●
Health and Wellbeing
Health Impact Assessment(HIA)		●
Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings		●
National Space Standards		●
Essex Insight Public Health Profile		●
Open Space Appraisal			●
Open Space Strategy	●
Playing Pitch Assessment	●
Climate Change and Flood Risk
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)	●
Water Cycle Study	●
Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP)			●
Sustainable Drainage Systems Design Guide	●	●
Environment Quality
Landscape Character Assessment	●
Green Space Strategy	●
Historic Characterisation	●
Local Wildlife Site Review	●
Conservation Appraisal			●
Transport and Communications Infrastructure
Highways Standards	●
Cycling Strategy		●
Local Transport Plan		●
Protected Lanes	●
Economy & Retails
Economic Development Needs Assessment (EDNA)			●
Retail Needs Assessment			●
Housing
Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)	●
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)	●
Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment	●	●
Green Belt
Green Belt Functions Assessment			●
Green Belt Landscape Assessment			●
Green Belt Boundary Review			●