Small changes to the masterplan for a new community in North Essex have been backed and recommended by a joint committee of councillors.
Last night (Thursday, 1 May), the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community (TCBGC) Joint Committee met to discuss the future of the project, including the Planning Inspector’s Final Report on the Development Plan Document (DPD).
With the incorporation of the Inspector’s modifications the DPD – which sets out the overall approach for the new settlement – has been found sound and is legally compliant.
It was resolved by the Joint Committee to recommend to Tendring District Council and Colchester City Council that the DPD with the Inspector’s modifications be formally adopted and form part of the council’s Local Plans. Each council will now consider and approve the DPD.
The Joint Committee’s recommendation to adopt the DPD marks an important milestone of many years’ intense effort and collaborative work from the three partner councils – Colchester City, Tendring District and Essex County.
The DPD sets out the spatial development strategy for the Garden Community which aims to secure social, environmental, and economic objectives. It seeks to support the creation of a brand-new community in a comprehensively planned way from the outset and provides the opportunity to embrace and deliver the very best in placemaking with high sustainability standards.
Councillor David King, Chair of the TCBGC Joint Committee and Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “Along with my fellow Joint Committee colleagues from the partner councils, I am delighted to recommend that the Development Plan Document goes to our councils for their formal adoption.
“The DPD has been found sound by an independent Planning Inspector, after a great deal of evidence gathering, test, challenge and consultation. Adoption by the councils as we now recommend will confirm the high standards of development we require and will reinforce our ability to shape and influence planning decisions.
“It will also strengthen our ability to secure vital and early infrastructure delivery, including the Link Road needed to serve the garden community.”
Page last reviewed: 2 May 2025