Local Plan Update - January 2026
Consultation on Preferred Options - Deadline for Representations / Comments is 14th January 2026
NB: This note should be read in conjunction with Local Plan update and plans from 3rd December 2025 (Click here for PDF)
Summary:
There are three sites proposed in the Preferred Options document that are wholly or part within Aldham Parish:
PP18 – 1000 new homes on land north of the A120 at Marks Tey between Church Lane and Tey Road and stretching north as far as the Marks Tey to Sudbury railway line,
PP32 – 250 new homes north of Halstead Road at Foxes Corner, subject to current application by Richborough Land (Click Here for Latest Update),
PP45 – 15 new homes on land west of New Road (adj. Corvettes)
NB: the site identified in the Preferred Options is significantly larger than that shown in the original Call for Sites and could accommodate significantly more than 15 homes.
Aldham Parish Council’s Position:
Aldham Parish Council recognises that Colchester City Council has to allocate land for significant numbers of new houses and it has limited options. Outright opposition is unlikely to succeed and we are working with the other parishes on the west side of Colchester to co-ordinate efforts to improve the Plan by ensuring the right sites are allocated and there is a clear commitment to identifying, funding and delivering the supporting infrastructure, together with a clear phasing plan.
In particular, we want to work with Eight Ash Green and Marks Tey Parish Councils and engage with the City Council over the next 6 months to ensure the final version of the Plan which we expect in the summer of 2026, is one we can support rather than have to object to.
What can you do?
Aldham Parish Council will be submitting detailed representations not only on the sites directly affecting the Parish but more widely. Although time is short, we would also encourage residents to log on to the City Council’s Consultation Portal and at least make representations on the three sites using the references above to locate the relevant part of the document by 14th January.
Where to make comments:
To comment you will need to register with an email address. The policies for the individual sites are in Section 12 //colchester.oc2.uk/document/81/5345#d5345 and the accompanying Plans can be viewed by scrolling down to relevant site (PP18, PP32 and PP45) and then clicking on the small icon next to the Comment box for each site.
For overview of the plan please go to this web page: //colchester.oc2.uk/document/81
If anyone is having problems or needs assistance please message us via Grapevine FB and we will try to help.
Please take the time to do this as it will be important to our chances of persuading the City Council to make further changes before the Plan is finalised.
Thank you