Public Response

This section of the website provides an update on the Horkesley Park Planning Application. For convenience this section is broken down into categories - see the menu on the left of the page. The remainder of the website remains unaltered as this information is current, detailing the Application, the content of the proposals, the consultants, Q&A and much, much more…

The Horkesley Park Planning Application has received an overwhelming amount of support - over 5,000 letters, e-mails and postcards were received by Colchester Borough Council (CBC) during the consultation period. In addition to this nearly 23,000 people have showed their support by signing the Horkesley Park Petition, which was submitted with the Planning Application to CBC.

A small but vociferous group have sought to undermine our proposals with various publicity stunts and a campaign of misrepresentation, misinformation and falsehoods encouraging people to object. Despite this well orchestrated campaign the representations received by CBC showed support outweighed the objections by more than 21:1.

We have read and analysed the contents of all the representations of objection made to CBC. It is clear that there is a significant level of duplication with multiple items being sent from certain persons and households and that many of the letters directly quote the anti campaigners.

“[Horkesley Park] fulfils so many desirable environmental aims and in particular will act as a bridge between town and country, something which has never been more important.”

Rayska Heritage, April 2009

However, there are a number of areas of concern that featured regularly, such as traffic issues and the scheme being delivered as a whole. The principal objection raised to Horkesley Park has been regarding traffic and additional work has been carried out by RPS, independent national consultants, in this regard.

“EEDA broadly supports this application. It will contribute significantly to the region’s aspirations to maximise the value of green infrastructure, regional culture and the natural environment.”

EEDA, April 2009

RPS concludes that the highway network has sufficient capacity available to facilitate the proposals and that Horkesley Park will not give rise to any unacceptable traffic increases or impacts on the surrounding local or strategic road network.

The Highways Agency, Essex County Council Highway Authority and Suffolk County Council Highway Authority all concur with the conclusion and findings of RPS. Simply, concerns regarding traffic are unfounded.

“The development will create well over 200 new jobs, in addition to any indirect economic benefits, and provide a much needed boost to the Essex rural economy.”

Essex Chambers of Commerce,

March 2009

The s106 agreement will ensure that Horkesley Park is delivered as a whole and covers many topics from highway, footway and cycleway improvements through to the local employment plan and educational elements of the proposals. We expect this agreement will allay any concerns and reassure people of the many benefits of Horkesley Park. Please click here to download the summary of the benefits.

All of the comments, matters and issues raised in representations received by CBC (as shown on the CBC website) from Statutory Consultees, other bodies and the general public from 18 February 2009 to 17 May 2011 have been meticulously studied. A document titled Responses & Answers has been produced in response to provide clarity and supplementary information.

Please note the document only relates to the representations which raised issues/objected.

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