The next stage of consultation on Colchester's New Local Plan is now open. Closing date: 13th October 2026 at 4pm.
Colchester City Council have announced the following:
The Submission Draft Local Plan has been developed following evidence gathering, technical studies and feedback from residents, businesses, parish councils and other stakeholders during earlier consultations.
The plan will guide housing, jobs, transport, infrastructure and green spaces across Colchester until 2043.
This consultation is your opportunity to review the final draft before it is submitted for independent examination and comment on whether you believe it is sound, justified and supported by the right evidence.
Find out more and have your say at: www.colchester.gov.uk/NewLocalPlan
AN ALTERNATIVE PAPER RESPONSE CAN BE MADE - COMPLETE THIS FORM: Local Plan Regulation 19 response form PDF
If you are unable to respond online, you may return this form electronically via email to: Local.Plan@colchester.gov.uk or by post to: Planning Policy Team, Colchester City Council, Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3WG.
Colchester City Council Local Plan Committee agreed on 26th August 2026 to publish the Submission Draft Local Plan for consultation (Regulation 19).
West Mersea Town Council will be considering evidence to be submitted in the consultation and also studying a response given by the planning officers to the statement below.
Residents will also be invited to submit comments and details will be published shortly by the City Council.
On Regulation 18 Mersea contributed one of the highest number of comments.
Extract from statement made by Councillor John Akker, West Mersea Town Council, at the Local Plan Committee in the 'Have Your Say' section.
"We have sent to Committee members and Officers a detailed statement setting out serious concerns regarding the evidence base supporting the Submission Draft Colchester Local Plan.
This evening (26th August), although there are other significant issues we could raise, we wish to focus specifically on the adequacy of the evidence relating to wastewater infrastructure and the Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) a statutory environmental designation with legally binding conservation objectives.
Given the content of the Submission Draft Local Plan before the Committee considers publication under Regulation 19, we respectfully request, evidenced responses to the following five matters.
1. Evidence demonstrating that the 300-home allocation will not hinder achievement of the MCZ conservation objectives. The MCZ imposes statutory duties. The Plan must demonstrate in our view, with evidence, that additional wastewater loading from the allocation will not compromise the MCZ's conservation objectives.
2. Where and how the existing sanitary-survey, water-quality, native-oyster, and restoration evidence has been considered.
3. Where the cumulative effects of the allocation, Dawes Lane and Brierley developments have been assessed.
4. Evidence demonstrating that the wastewater infrastructure required by the allocation is funded, deliverable and available at the required time.
5. What evidence did the Council subsequently obtain, or produce, which answered Natural England's request for evidence demonstrating no effect and where is that evidence contained within the Regulation 19 evidence base?
These matters go directly to the protection of a nationally and internationally important marine environment.
They are not in our view peripheral issues; they are fundamental.
Whilst we support the need for a Local Plan, we respectfully request that the Committee obtains clear evidential responses to these five points. Without further evidence, we believe the Plan as currently stated cannot demonstrate that the allocation is presently justified, sustainable and deliverable."
To view the letter sent to the Local Plan Committee from West Mersea Town Council, click on the link: Letter to Local Plan Committee PDF
The Town Council held discussions with the City Council Planners in the early Summer. These meetings included early consideration of draft proposals for an island specific policy, safeguarding our local environment, coastal areas, and other issues relevant to the emerging Local Plan. We understand that our City Councillors have also been involved in related discussions.
The Council's 40+ response to the earlier consultation is reproduced below.
Pleased to report that Island Policy and Coastal Policies as reported in the Courier of 26th June 2026 were adopted for the next stage of the Local Plan by the Local Plan Committee. The next stage is the consideration of the Local Plan Place Policies that includes the allocation of 300 houses for West Mersea that will be considered by the next Local Plan Committee in August. The Town Council strongly objects to this allocation.
The Committee formally agreed - "to the policy wording as presented in the schedule attached as Appendix A (that included the policies above) for inclusion in the Submission Draft Local Plan. Subject to agreement of the remainder of the Plan in August, to agree publication for Regulation 19 consultation and submission to the Planning Inspectorate. To note the updates on progress and evidence updates identified in the report which will be considered further to inform the next iteration of the Local Plan."
In the report by the Planning Officers, it was stated that one of the most significant updates was - new Islands Policy - "this was suggested by West Mersea Town Council to address the unique issues facing Mersea Island. Officers have collaborated with the Town Council in drafting the policy and supporting text."
It also stated in the report - "The caravan parks policy has been amended to apply solely to caravan parks on Mersea Island, with additional criteria added. This will be included in the Place chapter of the plan."
Update on West Mersea Town Council representations to the City Council, special one-to-one meeting held with City planners on 15th April 2026. For more details, click on the link: WMTC representations to CCC
To view the West Mersea Town Council response to the Colchester City Council New Local Plan Regulation 18 Stage, click on the link: WMTC full response to CCC 14Jan2026
1. West Mersea Town Council statement to the Local Plan Committee of 10th November 2025: click here
To view the video/audio of the Colchester City Council Local Plan Committee meeting of 10th November 2025: click here
2. West Mersea Town Council representations to Colchester City Council regarding the Environment.
Further letter sent to Colchester City Council on 05/09/25: click here to read the letter.
Further letter sent to Colchester City Council on 06/06/25: click here to read the letter.
West Mersea Town Council strongly objects to the proposed Local Plan allocation of an additional 300 houses on West Mersea, in addition to the 200 already approved. To read the full letter sent to Colchester City Council and others on 07/04/25: click here
3. Statement by Colchester City Council after agreeing to public consultation on 10th November 2025 (Schedule 17): click here
West Mersea Town Council
10 Melrose Road, West Mersea
Colchester, Essex, CO5 8JD
Email: carol.fountain@westmerseatowncouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: 01206 382128
Office opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday & Friday
9am to 12pm.
You can still contact us by telephone and email at other times.