Page 138 - sercledoc

Strategic Part 1 - Sustainability Appraisal: Preferred Options (June 2016)

6.8.4 Secondary Effects of the Principles behind the Spatial Strategy

Positive secondary effects can be expected to affect the majority of the sustainability objectives in
line with their combined reflection of sustainable aspirations within the strategic area and also each
authority.

6.8.5 Alternatives Considered of the Principles behind the Spatial Strategy

The preferred Spatial Strategy across the strategic area has been devised in conjunction with
those of the Local Plans of the three authorities of Colchester, Braintree and Tendring. Although
the scope of the Strategic Common Part 1 for Local Plans is strategic, elements of the Spatial
Strategy above can be seen to be non-strategic as per the remit of the three authorities’ Local
Plans. It should be acknowledged however that additional Spatial Strategy options may be
reasonable within the wider area. For the purposes of identifying and assessing reasonable options
within the SA, component parts of the preferred spatial strategy have been initially explored and
expanded as sole scenarios for delivering and distributing growth across the strategic area. The
following alternatives represent a list of possible reasonable options:

? Alternative 1 – A focus on allocating all broad Garden Community options proposed in the
Strategic Area

? Alternative 2 – A focus on existing settlements, commensurate to proportionate growth
across the Strategic Area.

? Alternative 3 – A focus on stimulating infrastructure and investment opportunities across the
Strategic Area

In addition to the above, a fourth alternative was submitted to the North Essex Authorities for
consideration as a spatial strategy option across the HMA. The Campaign Against Urban Sprawl in
Essex (CAUSE) has created a vision for growth which aims to ensure that houses are built in the
right place. This alternative, referred to as ‘CAUSE’s Metro Plan’ seeks to deliver infrastructure
first, making use of a rail asset which can offer a frequent metro service. The proposal looks at
housing and related growth for Colchester and Tendring, based on the Colchester to Clacton line,
and to some extent the Walton branch. The Colchester-Clacton rail corridor would accommodate a
substantial amount of housing growth, estimated at 6,000 – 8,000 homes (or 7,000 – 9,000 homes
if higher densities are felt to be acceptable at the heart of these settlements), depending on land
constraints. This rail-based growth would be distributed between the station catchment area of
Alresford, Great Bentley, Weeley, and Thorpe le Soken.

? Alternative 4 – CAUSE’s Metro Plan

79