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.This is just one of many applications that the society comments on or objects to on an ongoing basis.
A more 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.
Planning Applications commented on or opposed
241324 27-29 Sir Isaac’s Walk replacement windows in UPVC Comment against.
241306 27 Head Street (ex Moore’s ) new shop front and other works. Comment
241242 Wendy’s High Street/Culver Street Comment.
223132 Post Office North Hill to convert to new hotel . Comment re bike storage door .
241329 132 High Street convert to take away pizza . Comment.
241333 16 Salisbury Avenue. Front porch and rear extension . Object to front porch.
241399 4 Wimpole Road Render to front walls . Object
241379 116 Bourne Road . Box extension to roof line to create bedroom .Object
241450 Eld Lane conversion of G/F storage space to living unit. Object
241369 59 North Hill .conversion to 13 single HMO’S from office space . Support
241463 7 Park Road . To renew application for very large extension of house for second time . Comment
241536 Foundry Arms Artillery Street . Render external walls and install UPVC windows . Object to previously refused application.
241524 184 Magdalen Street (Locally Listed ) Comment re refused 241164 application and new scheme.
Decisions made
240915 Land at 43 Smythies Avenue Bungalow refused
Various across the city Replacement bus stops with Led adverts . Approved as new company contract
240828 Red Lion Books 125 High Street Book themed mural . Approved
220317 Garnet Bearings, Hythe Station Road. Demolition and erection of 3 new blocks 4/5 story’s high .Approved
241069 Telecoms site at 6-8 St Botolph’s Street .4.1 MT high tower on top of roof of Locally Listed building .Refused
240150 2 Creffield Road .Change of use of G/F AND 1ST FLOOR to 7 bed HMO . Refused
240921 22 Vint Crescent . Replacement door and windows .Refused.
241116 6 Creffield Road Extend g/f and 1st floor rear . Approved
232916 2 Greens Yard Install Heat pump to Listed building . Refused
241164 184 Magdalen Street Habitable room in dormer roof space with floor level alterations and front windows. Locally Listed. Refused.
For those who might have an interest : Church of the New Jerusalem site, Malden Road . Application for minor internal alterations for room for a monk on site. On behalf of the Dhamma Centre of Buddhist Study.