New Local Plan to 2041

We adopted Section 1 of the current Colchester Local Plan in February 2021, and Section 2 in July 2022. This plan guides growth and development across Colchester up to 2033.

Local plans must be reviewed and updated at least every five years to make sure they remain effective.

We are preparing a new Local Plan for Colchester. The plan will set the strategy for growth in Colchester up to 2041, including:

• what development will take place
• where development will take place
• policies for protecting and conserving the environment

Once adopted, the new Local Plan will replace existing local planning policies.

We are consulting on the Preferred Options Local Plan. This consultation is being carried out under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Preferred Options Local Plan is a draft plan. We are inviting comments from residents, organisations and other stakeholders to help shape the final Local Plan.

The consultation runs from Wednesday 26 November 2025 and closes at 5pm on Wednesday 14 January 2026.

How to get involved

You can:

• explore the draft Local Plan
• read supporting information
• view our virtual exhibition

The Preferred Options Local Plan consultation is hosted on Opus Consult, an online platform designed to help you explore the proposals and share your views.

You can view and comment on:

• the Preferred Options Local Plan
• the Sustainability Appraisal

Access the consultation through the Opus Consult – Colchester Local Plan consultation portal.

A user guide is available on the portal. If you have difficulties using it, email: local.plan@colchester.gov.uk.

All comments (representations) will be published on the consultation portal in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

For more information about how we use your data, read our privacy policy.

You can also attend an in-person consultation event.

Our exhibition will be held at Colchester Town Hall on:

• Wednesday 10 December, 4pm to 7pm
• Saturday 13 December, 10am to 2pm
• Monday 15 December, 10am to 2pm

If you cannot attend in person, you can view the same material through our online Virtual Exhibition 2025.

Paper copies of the Preferred Options Local Plan are available to view at:

• Colchester Town Hall
• Colchester Library
• Greenstead Library
• Prettygate Library
• Stanway Library
• Tiptree Library
• West Mersea Library
• Wivenhoe Library

Colchester Preferred Options Local Plan

• Colchester Preferred Options Local Plan (PDF, 2.13MB)
• Colchester Preferred Options Local Plan Policies Maps (PDF, 7MB)
• Colchester Preferred Options Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal Report and Sustainability Appraisal Appendices

The Preferred Options Local Plan is supported by new evidence base documents. You can view these on the Evidence Base and Supporting Documents page.

Topic papers that summarise the evidence base and explain how it is reflected in the draft plan are available on the Local Plan Topic Papers page.

Local Plan stages

Issues and Options

We completed the first phase of engagement, known as Issues and Options, between 2023 and 2024. More information is available on the Local Plan Engagement and Consultation page.

Preferred Options Consultation

26 November 2025 to 5pm on Wednesday 14 January 2026.

Next steps

After the consultation closes, we will review all comments received and consider what changes are needed before producing the Submission Version of the Local Plan. There will be another consultation on the Submission Version before it is formally submitted to the Secretary of State.

The Local Development Scheme sets out the timetable for the local development documents that the council will be producing, including the new Local Plan. View the scheme on the Local Development Scheme page.

Colchester City Council Consultations. Have your say on Local Plan and other consultations.