North Essex has seen significant increases in its population – and this is predicted to continue rising in the future.

To meet the demand for new homes, Colchester and Tendring have a legal requirement from central Government to meet ambitious housing delivery targets.

We have looked at all potential options for supporting these additional homes including continuing to expand existing towns and villages.

However, this approach has historically seen new homes built without the necessary expansion of local services to support the needs of the new residents. This also negatively impacts on the quality of life for the existing residents, as well as new ones.

Expanding current villages and towns also pushes new residents away from existing centres, encouraging them to drive to access shops, leisure facilities and places of work.

A new Garden Community gives us the chance to change this in the future by developing a community around the new the new schools, health facilities, and job opportunities.

The new development could also help with issues we are currently facing – including congestion. As part of the plans for the garden community we are looking to develop a Rapid Transit System, potentially a trackless tram, which will improve connectivity and relieve congestion for everyone living, working and visiting the area.

Other examples include the creation of job opportunities, new areas of open space for everyone to enjoy, and specially managed areas of natural space to support wildlife.

If the proposals for the Garden Communities are not taken forward, then the homes needed for North Essex will still need to be built and lots of additional sites will need to be found.

The Tendring/Colchester Borders Garden Community, which would involve the provision of up to 7,500 - 9,000 homes (to be built over many years), is part of a long-term vision of Colchester Borough Council and Tendring District Council in partnership with Essex County Council to help meet the future growth of the area in a more strategic way.