Location and External Linkages
The Borough of Colchester lies in a key gateway location between the
UK and mainland Europe, with access to the rest of Europe via the nearby
Ports of Harwich and Felixstowe to the east and Stansted Airport to
the west. The far reaching effect of London as a world city extends
to Colchester, 70 miles distant, with some businesses and commuters
locating in Colchester due to its access to the jobs and services of
London. Colchester’s prime identity, however, is as a major
regional centre with significant employment activity, cultural facilities,
educational institutions, retail outlets and visitor attractions. The
main town of Colchester serves as a centre not only for the Borough
but for a much wider area of North East Essex, with residents of Braintree,
Maldon and Tendring districts travelling into the town to work, shop
and use its community facilities. The Borough’s identity is also
shaped by its extensive valued countryside areas and urban green spaces
as well as its historic smaller settlements including Stanway, Tiptree,
West Mersea, Wivenhoe, Dedham, and Rowhedge . Colchester has joined
with neighbouring Essex and Suffolk authorities in the Haven Gateway
partnership to make the most of its locational advantages through targeted
programmes of infrastructure provision, new sustainable development,
business development and training for local people.
| Population | |
|---|---|
| All People 2001 Census | 155,800 |
| All People mid-2006 | 170,800 |
| - 0-14 years | 28,900 |
| - 15-64 years | 117,200 |
| - 65 years + | 24,800 |
| Mid-2006 Population Estimates, ONS. © Crown Copyright, 2007. | |
| Ethnic Groups | |
|---|---|
| % of resident population in ethnic groups, 2001: | |
| - White | 96.2 |
| - Mixed | 1.2 |
| - Asian or Asian British | 1.2 |
| - Black or Black British | 0.5 |
| - Chinese or other | 1.0 |
| Census 2001, ONS. © Crown Copyright, 2007. | |
Population and Households
Colchester’s growing population reflects the overall upward trend
in the South East region which has been fuelled by economic growth.
In the last five years, the population has increased rapidly by
15,000 as detailed above. The largest growth is expected to be the older
age groups (60+), while growth levels are expected to decline in the
younger ages groups (19 and under), with consequent effects on the economy
and social provision in the Borough. House building rates have
recently been high to keep pace with the growing population pressure,
but there remains a gap in delivering sufficient quantities of affordable
housing. Designation of the Haven Gateway as a new Growth Point
in 2006 reflects the fact that meeting agreed targets is a challenge
meriting additional support to ensure sustainable growth is matched
with adequate infrastructure provision.
| Housing & Households | |
|---|---|
| Number of households in 2001 | 63,706 |
| % of households in 2001: | |
| - Owner occupied | 72.34 |
| - Social rented housing | 15.28 |
| - Privately rented or living rent free | 12.38 |
| Average household size, 2001 | 2.37 |
| Census 2001, ONS. © Crown Copyright, 2007. | |
| Average number of homes built per annum (between 2001 and 2005) | 824 |
| CBC Housing Trajectory, 2005. | |
Heritage and Habitat
Colchester, Britain’s ‘Oldest Recorded Town’, recorded
by Pliny the Elder in AD 77, has a rich and diverse history dating back
to the Iron Age. The town’s present character reflects this heritage,
including its period as the Roman capital of Britain, its importance
as a wool and cloth centre in medieval and Tudor times, and its focus
as a hub for Victorian and 20th century industry. The
numerous archaeological sites, historic buildings, and conservation
areas in the Borough are a focus for preservation and enhancement.
Landmarks that give Colchester its unique character include the remnants
of the Town Wall encircling the historic core, the Castle and Castle
Park in the heart of the Town Centre, and ‘Jumbo’, the Victorian
water tower. The town is also defined by its hilltop setting and
the green corridor through the Town provided by the River Colne.
Surrounding the town of Colchester is an ecologically rich rural and coastal environment. Many sites are recognised for their value by international and national designations, including the coastal and estuary areas in the south east and the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the north of the Borough. The surrounding villages also have a rich historical heritage, including the seafaring communities of Mersea and Wivenhoe, the former wool town of Dedham and the jam-making centre of Tiptree.
| Heritage & Habitat | |
|---|---|
| Number of conservation areas | 22 |
| Number of listed buildings | 1,600 |
| Number of scheduled monuments | 40 |
| CBC Annual Monitoring Report, 2006. | |
Economic Activity and Prosperity
In recent years there has been a change in the structure and type of
employment within Colchester, in common with many other UK towns, with
a move away from manufacturing and agriculture towards the service industry.
In rural areas and small towns and villages, economic activity has shifted
away from agriculture towards a more diverse range of small enterprises
and tourist related business.
The Garrison and the University of Essex are two noteworthy major employers that will continue to play a major role in the Borough throughout the plan period and beyond. The University of Essex is also promoting a major Research and Science park adjacent to the campus which, when developed in the near future, will be a significant contributor to the borough and sub-regional economy.
While unemployment levels in the Borough as a whole are lower than national averages, there are wide variations in prosperity and there are pockets of deprivation in parts of both the towns and rural areas. Parts of St Anne’s, St Andrew’s and Harbour wards are classified as ‘seriously deprived’ because they are amongst the 20% most deprived areas in England.
| Economic Activity & Prosperity | |
|---|---|
| All people aged 16 to 74 years,
2001 Number of 16 to 74 year olds working in the service industry, 2001 % of 16 to 74 year olds who are: |
113,771 |
| 59,288 | |
| - Employed | 63.5 |
| - Unemployed | 2.3 |
| - students | 8.4 |
| - Retired | 12.6 |
| - Others | 18.7 |
| Census 2001, ONS. © Crown Copyright, 2007 | |
Community
The community has access to a wide range of publicly run services and
facilities which will need to be enhanced in line with future development.
Colchester General Hospital is expanding and consolidating to better
serve the needs of the growing population, and its services are complemented
by a range of primary care facilities throughout the Borough.
The Borough’s educational facilities comprise a range of primary
and secondary schools, while higher education provision consists of
two further education colleges (Colchester Sixth Form College and the
Colchester Institute) and the University of Essex. Recreational
facilities include a range of parks, a leisure centre, and four multi-activity
centres. Regeneration plans include a new football stadium to
be built in the North Colchester area and a new Firstsite (Visual Arts
Facility) which will provide a focal point for the redevelopment of
the St. Botolph’s quarter.
| Education | |
|---|---|
| Number of maintained schools | 79 |
| - Primaries | 64 |
| - Secondary | 11 |
| - Special | 4 |
| Essex County Council, 2005. | |
| % of population with a degree or other form of higher education, 2001 | 19% |
| % of the population with no qualifications, 2001 | 25% |
| Census 2001, ONS. © Crown Copyright, 2007. | |
| Health | |
| Life Expectancy: | |
| - Males | 78 years |
| - Females | 82 years |
| % of people describing their health as ‘not good’ | 7.2 |
| % of people with a limiting long-term illness | 16.0 |
| % of people providing unpaid care | 9.3 |
| Census 2001, ONS. © Crown Copyright, 2007 | |
Transportation
Colchester has been designated as a Regional Transport Node in the East
of England Plan, which acknowledges the importance of its transport
links including those to London, Stansted Airport, and the ports of
Harwich and Felixstowe. One of the biggest challenges for Colchester
is road traffic growth and the dominance of the car as the main mode
of travel. Significant congestion can occur during peak times
within Colchester on the limited number of radial routes in and out
of the town centre, the A12 and on several of the minor roads to the
south of the Borough. Future growth in Colchester hinges on the expansion
of alternatives to the car, including improved pedestrian and cycle
links, the development of Park and Ride facilities, the implementation
of travel management schemes, and enhancement of public transport services
in both urban and rural areas.
| Transport | |
|---|---|
| Journey to work by Colchester residents: | |
| - Car | 62.5% |
| - Bus | 6.1% |
| - Train | 7.1% |
| -Cycle | 4.3% |
| - Walk | 10.2% |
| - Work from home | 9.2% |
| Census 2001, ONS. © Crown Copyright, 2007 | |
Thorough and on-going community consultation is a key feature of the new planning system. In line with Government regulations on consultation, the Council approved a Statement of Community Involvement in June 2006 which outlines community consultation activities for each component and stage of the LDF.
Community consultation on the Core Strategy to date has included 4 consultation stages. In summer 2005, the Council surveyed community views to frontload the preparation of the Core Strategy, and 470 completed surveys were returned. A community consultation exercise was next carried out in spring 2006 on the Issues and Options Report which involved a survey distributed to stakeholders and every household in the borough; facilitated workshops; and work with a secondary school. A total of 2,024 surveys and submissions were returned.
In November 2006, the Preferred Options report was published, surveys were circulated to every household, and a series of public meetings and workshops were undertaken to gather feedback on the potential options for the Core Strategy. A total of 344 surveys and submissions were received. The Council then published an amendment to the Preferred Options in June 2007 in response to submissions, sustainability appraisal, new evidence and changes to national policy. Another series of public meetings, workshops and questionnaire were arranged to facilitate further feedback on the Preferred Options, and an additional 84 submission were received.
A statement of consultation will be prepared for the Core Strategy submission document outlining the consultation program for each stage of the Core Strategy, the issues raised and how these issues have been addressed in the plan making process.
The Evidence Base is a key feature of the LDF as it seeks to ensure that proposals and policies are based on sound information. The Evidence Base contains documents from local, county and regional levels. National guidance is not listed to avoid repetition, given that the Core Strategy has been produced in accordance with national planning policy.
The evidence gathered from the documents below has been employed in the formulation of the Spatial Strategy and Core Policies:
Documents making up the primary Evidence Base include:
The unique characteristics of Colchester create specific issues, opportunities and problems for the future, which need to be addressed by the Core Strategy and LDF. The issues outlined below have been identified through public consultation, the evidence base, national planning policy, the East of England Plan and the Sustainable Community Strategy. These issues provide the basis and context for the development of the Vision and Objectives, the Spatial Strategy and the Core Policies.
Sustainability
Current problems:
Future Challenges:
Becoming a Prestigious Regional Centre
Current problems:
Future Challenges:
Managing Growth Pressures
Current problems:
Future Challenges:
Improving Accessibility
Current problems:
Future Challenges:
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