Public Consultation on City Centre Masterplan Approved

PUBLISHED: 13 April 2023

Date published: 13 April 2023

A public consultation on Colchester’s new City Centre Masterplan was unanimously approved at Colchester City Council’s Local Plan Committee.

The Masterplan sets out a clear vision for the future of Colchester city centre. To support and guide Colchester’s development over the coming decades, and to help the city to reach its full potential by addressing the challenges of changing times.

The Masterplan is underpinned by five strategic objectives:
  • Actively respond to the climate emergency
  • Provide a safe, healthy and accessible city centre
  • Diversify city centre uses to encourage footfall
  • Support the economy to everyone’s benefit
  • Make the most of Colchester’s rich heritage
The Masterplan builds on the regeneration and renewal projects of the £18.2m Town Deal awarded in August 2022 and the £19.6m Levelling Up Funding, awarded to Colchester in January 2023 to provide a holistic picture of the future city.

With heritage assets like the Priory and the Roman wall more accessible, better connections and more choices for how to travel, and high-quality public squares and open space for residents and visitors to enjoy the Masterplan provides a blueprint for the future of Colchester.

The document was created by We Made That and supported by HAT Projects, PRD, Steer and Authentic Futures, in conjunction with Colchester City Council and Essex County Council. We Made That undertook a range of engagement activities including consultations with businesses, an online survey, conversations with the public and with stakeholders including the BID and Civic Society. Together their many voices helped to inform the suggestions that are made in the document.   

As the Masterplan has now been approved by the Planning Committee, the next stage will be further public consultation in late spring.  

Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council said, “The draft masterplan provides a very clear direction for the future of the city, but it is the first step. We’re excited that we can now move forward to the next phase, with the help of public consultation. We will do all we can to capture the views and ideas of residents and our key stakeholders. To help us build on the great beginning, to create one agreed vision for the future of the city. I am proud of the partnership working that has taken place to get it to this stage and look forward to the exciting opportunities implementing the plan will bring, to help our city adapt and thrive.”
 

Page last reviewed: 13 April 2023

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