Last month saw the end of the ‘Issues and Options’ consultations which looked at the some of the key constraints and opportunities that will need to be addressed in developing the proposals for three garden communities across North Essex.
Run by the three district councils (Braintree, Colchester and Tendring) as the planning authorities across North Essex, these consultations were the start of the process for creating a specific plan for each of the three proposed communities.
There is still a long way to go until detailed masterplans are prepared for each site, and this early consultation, supported by a number of drop-in sessions has helped give insight on some of the priorities and needs of local people. Around 1000 submissions to the consultations were received and these comments will help shape the next iteration of plans, likely to be published and consulted on later this year.
Ultimately the individual garden community plans will include the planning policies, proposals and strategies needed to bring about the councils’ vision to deliver exemplar 21st century garden communities in North Essex.