Planning

Our Planning Work

The Society encourages the best modern architecture and is prepared to comment on planning matters at every level. We respond to consultations on planning issues, from specific sites to the more general Local Plan. We also support the conservation of our older buildings of merit – buildings that are of historical importance, add to a street scene, are architecturally pleasing or simply of sentimental value within the community. We often raise our concerns about the condition of such buildings.

A recent example of where the Society’s intervention yielded a positive result is shown here.

 

Bow window in Colchester High Street

The Bow window restored!

Planning Applications large and small

The society was actively involved in opposing the proposed Alumno Development alongside Firstsite and worked with Colchester Borough Council and OMCI (Greyfriars) in opposing this at the planning enquiry.

We all await the final outcome of this process. However this is just one of many applications that the society comments on or objects to on an ongoing basis.

A recent example was the Society’s opposition to the proposal by Lion Walk Shopping Centre to paint a mural on vestry wall of Holy Trinity Church. The Society actively opposed this application for Historic Building Consent and helped to raise considerable opposition from ward councillors, historians, members of the society and other concerned residents of the town. The application was called in by  Castle Ward Councillor Mark Goacher and went to a full Planning Department hearing, at which John Burton (president of the Society) spoke on our behalf. Significantly the application was also opposed by the Conservation Officer and the Historic England Inspector in reports which largely mirrored the points in the Society’s objection (see link below). With such a weight of opposition it was no surprise that the application was refused.

Colchester Civic Society comments on or objects to planning applications both large and small.

Listed here are the results of the most recent applications to have been considered by the Colchester Planning Department, for which we offered comments or objections. This is followed by new applications which we commented on or objected to which have yet to be considered by Planning.

December 2023

Planning Applications commented on or opposed

232629 Marlowe Way adjacent to 6 Marlowe Way . Infill house on public access land and loss of pathway.         Object ( for the 3rd time

232773 Old Heath Tabernacle. Demolition and construction of 2 x 3 bed semi’s      Comment

232754 Land at rear of Albert Street. Building of 9 dwellings on ex builders plot.     Comment ( for at least the second time.

Decision results from some previous applications

232440 Refused    sign board 44 High Street (Red Lion shopfront)

232468 Refused    erection of 4 metre high antennae on top of 6-8 St Botolph’s Street .Locally Listed

232528 Approved    Go Carting at ex Debenhams

232486 Refused    19 Creffield Road external flue to frontage

232484 Refused    60North Hill change of use of cellar and alterations to create office in Listed building.

231831Refused    3 Constantine Road replace front door with composite door in peacock blue and other works. Conservation Area.

232123 Withdrawn    Crouched Friars ,Crouch Street . extension to create 13 ensuite bedrooms.

232308 Approved    Angel Inn Heckford Bridge . Renovation and refurb of Listed building.