The public is being invited to help shape the future of outdoor recreation as the borough continues to grow.
The Colchester Open Space Survey, which has been developed by specialist consultants Knight, Kavanagh & Page Ltd, is asking residents, businesses and visitors to air their views on existing public open space in the borough and what they would like to see delivered in the future.
Public open space provides opportunities for sport and recreation, socialising, tourism and wildlife, making an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities, ecosystems and economies. Colchester has a wide variety of public open spaces – from allotments and nature reserves to local play areas and larger parks such as Castle Park.
The council is now looking to gather up-to-date information to ensure there is adequate provision of accessible, high-quality open spaces to meet the needs and aspirations of local communities, businesses and visitors as part of its housing delivery programme within the existing or emerging Local Plans – which includes master planning for Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community.
The survey seeks views on the importance and provision of parks and gardens, green spaces and play areas, allotments and community schemes, cemeteries and churchyards, civic spaces and war memorials, cycleways and footpaths, and coasts and riversides.
The consultation runs until the end of May 2022 and the consultants will deal with the responses directly.
Cllr Andrew Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, said: “Colchester’s parks and other recreational and amenity open spaces are incredibly important environments that give us space to play, relax and enjoy nature. They provide a multitude of proven benefits for mental and physical health, as well as important ecological and environmental benefits. We want to see them continue to thrive and to create more of them as the borough’s population grows in the coming years.
“The results of the surveys will be used to help us plan for the future and ensure that these vital amenities continue to meet the needs of the communities they serve. I would encourage all visitors to complete the survey before the closing date.”
Page last reviewed: 3 May 2022