Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Development Plan Document (DPD)

Be a lot firmer in the commitment to the RTS.

This is a consultation heavily focused on those with specialist knowledge. The documentation seems to be deliberately opaque, bombarding the reader with details. The maps/images are far too small and not legible even when enlarged on a monitor screen.
The wording on the Rapid Transit System is vague, so as to only signal a broad intention rather than a firm plan.

I would like to see a lot more concrete detail of what is being proposed, how this will be financed and built, what the time frames are and what planning contingencies are in place should the financial situation change. Not another HS2-type white elephant... I really don't want to be pessimistic and I do with the project well, but, as a continental European, I have yet to see in this country an example of community-focused rather than (commercial) developer-focused development.

The statements here are so general, they're meaningless. For example: "Well-designed and integrated public realm with high quality landscape design, street furniture and other distinctive features that help to create a sense of place; [...]" What exactly does this mean for THIS particular community? Does this 'public realm', for example, include designated places of worship (for different faith groups)?

I would like to see at least some financial planning included in the plan, esp. in terms of projected costs, who will commit to what, and in what time frame. I would also like to see some concrete scenarios and some contingency planning.

I do wish the project well, but this chapter reads like pie-in-the-sky to me. For example: "Developer contributions will be required to fund the initial set up and running costs, including staff, premises, and equipment costs. This support will need to be provided for a minimum of 10 years, or until such time as stewardship activities are financially self-sustaining, before the occupation of the first home." What exactly does this mean? Who will finance what, and for how long? How are the "stewardship activities" going to become "financially self-sustaining"?

I would like to see a lot more concrete information on the RTS - how it will be financed, how exactly it will work, how it ties in with other public transport infrastructure. The RTS should also be made a deal maker/breaker for the whole development.

This is a vital aspect of the whole project and at the same time the most ill-defined. It's not clear how the RTS will work, esp. financially. It is not clear how it ties in with the other public transport in Colchester. "Active travel" is highlighted, also linked to the RTS, but how does this tie in with wider national rail links and/or travel to and from airports or the port of Harwich, for example?