THE COUNCIL has received a letter from the planning inspector regarding plans for garden communities.

A consultation and public inquiry, attended by the planning inspector, have already taken place.

The proposals for three communities across Colchester and Tendring have now been looked at even more closely by the planning inspector.

He has written a letter to local authorities, including Colchester Council, with his initial thoughts on the plans.

The letter will not be made available publicly until the end of the week, but will suggest further steps necessary to make plans sound.

Rosie Pearson, secretary for the Campaign Against Urban Sprawl in Essex, said it was an opportunity for local authorities to reflect on the next steps.

She said: "It is very telling that the inspector has been unable to produce a final report, and has had to write to the authorities setting out steps required to make the plan both sound and legally-compliant.

"The public examination of the plan exposed a number of significant areas where the inspector may have concern, from the way options for development were selected and presented to the public, to the environmental impact of the garden communities, and the practical delivery and financing of the required infrastructure."

She added: "We know whatever the contents, the authorities will have to consult again and attend a further hearing.

"The authorities must use this week to reflect carefully on what to do next.

"The plan should be revisited, in conjunction with local people."

She said the process could potentially hold up the delivery of the Local Plan.

She said: "It is frustrating CAUSE's attempts to engage with the authorities over the past three years on behalf of local people, and feedback from the public in consultations, have been ignored.

"Our repeated warnings about the soundness and legality of the plan have fallen on deaf ears.

"We hope, however, the inspector's letter will mark a turning point. We request an urgent meeting to include all north Essex action groups and relevant neighbourhood planning groups to discuss what happens next."

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: "A letter from the Inspector was sent to the North Essex Authorities on June 8 and will be published on Friday. 

“This is not the report that the inspector will produce at the end of the examination, setting out his final recommendations. Instead, it is a letter advising on the further steps that he considers are necessary in order for Section 1 of the Local Plans to be made sound and legally compliant.”