Latest announcements

July 2022

Colchester City Council, by decision at the meeting of Full Council on Monday 4 July 2022, has formally adopted the Colchester City Local Plan 2017-2033, Section 2. 

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May 2022

On 19 May 2022, the Council received the Inspectors' Final Report on the Examination of the Colchester Local Plan 2017-2033 (Section 2).

The Inspectors' Report concludes that subject to a number of main modifications, set out in the Appendix to their report, the Colchester Local Plan 2017-2033 Section 2 is sound, legally compliant and capable of adoption.

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December 2021

All representations to the main modifications consultation have now been processed and are available to view on the Consultation Portal. The Council have also prepared a schedule summarising all of the representations to the Main Modifications which has been sent to the Inspector.

October 2021

A six week public consultation on the Main Modifications and associated documents has now commenced, from 4 October to 18 November 2021.

The documents subject to consultation are:

• Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications
• Schedule of Proposed Additional Modifications
• Schedule of Proposed Policies Map Modifications
• Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
• Sustainability Appraisal (SA) – Non Technical Summary
• Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA)

All relevant comments received during the consultation period will be considered by the Planning Inspector before any modifications are finalised and the Inspector issues his Final Report. 

For more information go to Main Modifications Consultation and the Council’s Consultation Portal.

September 2021

The Planning Inspector has now confirmed the main modifications he considers necessary to the Section 2 Colchester Local Plan, to make the plan sound.

The Council have also prepared two further schedules, additional modifications and policy maps modifications.These are minor and are either factual, correct spelling/grammar or are a result of a main modification.

The Council are currently preparing for a six week public consultation which relates specially to the modifications to commence in October 2021.

All relevant consultation documents and supporting information will be published on our website and notifications will be sent to all those on our data base in due course, advising of where to view these and how to respond.

April 2021

Colchester City Council’s Section 2 Local Plan Hearing Sessions have now closed.

Colchester City Council's Opening Statement has been published.

The Inspector's Draft Hearings Programme has been published.

Colchester City Council’s Hearing statements, along with Third Party statements, have been published and are available for viewing.

March 2021

A Draft Schedule of Recommended Modifications has been added to our website.

A date for the hearing has been set for 20 April 2021. Further details, including guidance and advice notes from the Inspectors, can be found on the Section 2 Examination page.

February 2021

Colchester City Local Plan 2013-2033 formally adopted

Colchester Council, by decision at the meeting of Full Council on Monday 1 February 2021, has formally adopted the Colchester City Local Plan 2013-2033: North Essex Authorities’ Shared Strategic Section 1 Plan.

• Section 1 Adoption Statement
• Colchester City Council Local Plan 2013-33, North Essex Authorities Shared Strategic Section 1

Further information about the Section 1 examination can be found on the Braintree District Council website.

January 2021

Two Inspectors have been appointed to examine the Section 2 Colchester Local Plan.