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Date published: 19 June 2023
Residents have the opportunity to shape the next 100 years of the City as Colchester City Council and Essex County Council launch the City Centre Masterplan during a Golden Age of redevelopment.
As part of this, members of the public are also being asked their views on the redevelopment of St Botolph’s Circus, a key gateway into the city centre. This area has seen many changes over the last 2000 years, from the Romans to the Normans, the Civil War, Victorians through to the modern day.
Working as a Team Colchester partnership, the Councils have developed the Masterplan to reflect an initial public consultation, which includes feedback from 2,000 residents and users of the city centre. This together with major regeneration already underway, sets out the vision and ambition of Colchester, ensuring that one of the most important historic centres in Britain thrives long into the future.
The Masterplan’s vision looks to:
This builds on the regeneration and renewal projects of the £18.2m Town Deal awarded in August 2022 and the £19.6m Levelling Up Funding, awarded to Colchester in January 2023.
Work is already underway on the significant investment to regenerate and improve St Botolph’s Circus roundabout, an important gateway into the city centre. Plans for the new layout are available to view and feedback on as part of this City Centre consultation.
The much-needed investment will help deliver improved public space, which is accessible to all, better transport connections and a more welcoming environment which will help combat anti-social behaviour and increase footfall.
Residents of Colchester can feedback on the Masterplan and St Botolph’s Circus plans online or at the in-person events listed below:
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “The Masterplan for Colchester will benefit existing and future residents. It looks at ways of reimagining the city’s heart and key connections to local communities, where streets and open spaces are designed to meet the changing needs of a diverse range of users – as well as supporting existing businesses and encouraging growth.
“It will be delivered by working together with Essex County Council and will see huge investment, exciting changes and add extra value to the green spaces, services and houses in our city. We’re excited to move forward to this next consultation phase, and I encourage all Colchester residents and businesses to have their say – your views will help shape the final Masterplan plans. With more opportunities later as we turn vision into projects and changes for better that will improve the experience of living, working and visiting our great city.”
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “Our two Councils are working together as one team, developing a long-term vision for your city. We want to create a better quality of life for Colchester’s residents and businesses.
“This Masterplan has been designed after hearing views of many people across the city. Now we need your help to get us to the finish line. To the people that live here, work here and run their businesses, please take the chance to add to Colchester’s rich history by thinking of the future. What kind of city do you want Colchester to be in 100 years’ time? Now is your chance to tell us.”
For further information and investment in Colchester city centre, visit colchester.gov.uk/colchester-city-centre.
Keep up to date by subscribing to Colchester City News e-newsletter.
Residents have the opportunity to shape the next 100 years of the City as Colchester City Council and Essex County Council launch the City Centre Masterplan during a Golden Age of redevelopment.
As part of this, members of the public are also being asked their views on the redevelopment of St Botolph’s Circus, a key gateway into the city centre. This area has seen many changes over the last 2000 years, from the Romans to the Normans, the Civil War, Victorians through to the modern day.
Working as a Team Colchester partnership, the Councils have developed the Masterplan to reflect an initial public consultation, which includes feedback from 2,000 residents and users of the city centre. This together with major regeneration already underway, sets out the vision and ambition of Colchester, ensuring that one of the most important historic centres in Britain thrives long into the future.
The Masterplan’s vision looks to:
- Open up and enhance the incredible heritage of St Botolph’s Priory
- Increase co-working and business space, bringing people into the city
- Bring Jumbo back to life, celebrate more of our heritage story and light additional parts of our Roman Walls
- Create a more vibrant and liveable city centre, encouraging sustainable living
- Bring about greater accessibility with a Transport Hub connecting car, train, bus and cycle routes
- Design more green public spaces to sit, eat, spend time, and catch up
- Help the city feel safe, day and night
- Open up the city centre connection routes, including to the Roman Circus
This builds on the regeneration and renewal projects of the £18.2m Town Deal awarded in August 2022 and the £19.6m Levelling Up Funding, awarded to Colchester in January 2023.
Work is already underway on the significant investment to regenerate and improve St Botolph’s Circus roundabout, an important gateway into the city centre. Plans for the new layout are available to view and feedback on as part of this City Centre consultation.
The much-needed investment will help deliver improved public space, which is accessible to all, better transport connections and a more welcoming environment which will help combat anti-social behaviour and increase footfall.
Residents of Colchester can feedback on the Masterplan and St Botolph’s Circus plans online or at the in-person events listed below:
- Online: visit colchester.gov.uk/colchester-city-centre
- In person: see plans and talk to representatives from Colchester City Council and Essex County Council:
- 28 June, 12pm-4pm, Culver Square Shopping Centre, Colchester
- 17 July, 2pm-8pm, St Botolph’s Church, Colchester
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “The Masterplan for Colchester will benefit existing and future residents. It looks at ways of reimagining the city’s heart and key connections to local communities, where streets and open spaces are designed to meet the changing needs of a diverse range of users – as well as supporting existing businesses and encouraging growth.
“It will be delivered by working together with Essex County Council and will see huge investment, exciting changes and add extra value to the green spaces, services and houses in our city. We’re excited to move forward to this next consultation phase, and I encourage all Colchester residents and businesses to have their say – your views will help shape the final Masterplan plans. With more opportunities later as we turn vision into projects and changes for better that will improve the experience of living, working and visiting our great city.”
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “Our two Councils are working together as one team, developing a long-term vision for your city. We want to create a better quality of life for Colchester’s residents and businesses.
“This Masterplan has been designed after hearing views of many people across the city. Now we need your help to get us to the finish line. To the people that live here, work here and run their businesses, please take the chance to add to Colchester’s rich history by thinking of the future. What kind of city do you want Colchester to be in 100 years’ time? Now is your chance to tell us.”
For further information and investment in Colchester city centre, visit colchester.gov.uk/colchester-city-centre.
Keep up to date by subscribing to Colchester City News e-newsletter.
Page last reviewed: 19 June 2023