The Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Development Plan Document (DPD) is the statutory, site-specific plan for the Garden Community. Prepared jointly by Tendring District Council and Colchester City Council in partnership with Essex County Council, it forms part of the Local Plan for each local planning authority. Following evidence gathering, two formal consultation stages and independent examination, it was adopted by Tendring in May 2025 and Colchester in June 2025.

The DPD translates the strategic principle established in the shared Section 1 Local Plans into a detailed framework for how the Garden Community should be designed, developed and delivered over approximately 30 to 40 years. It confirms the development boundary and broad spatial approach, including land for around 7,500 homes with a minimum of 30% affordable housing, approximately 25 hectares of employment land, shops, services, schools, community facilities, transport infrastructure and an extensive green and blue infrastructure network.

The DPD is organised around nine principal policy areas:

Land uses and spatial approach: establishes the broad distribution and relationship of neighbourhoods, centres, employment, community uses, movement corridors and landscape.

Nature: protects and enhances biodiversity, habitats, landscape and water systems through green and blue infrastructure, including a new country park and strategic green gaps.

Placemaking principles: sets expectations for high-quality, distinctive and inclusive buildings, streets and public spaces, informed by local character and supported by design coding.

Meeting housing needs: requires a diverse mix of homes, sizes and tenures, including at least 30% affordable housing, to support a balanced and inclusive community.

Economic activity and employment: allocates employment land and supports business, innovation, local services and access to jobs, including links with the University of Essex and the wider economy.

Community and social infrastructure: plans for education, healthcare, community, cultural, leisure and other facilities to be accessible and delivered in step with growth.

Movement and connections: prioritises walking, cycling and public transport, while providing for strategic transport infrastructure including rapid transit and the A120–A133 Link Road.

Sustainable infrastructure: addresses climate resilience, energy, water, drainage, waste, digital connectivity and other utilities needed for a low-carbon and adaptable community.

Infrastructure delivery, impact mitigation and monitoring: requires coordinated phasing, funding and delivery mechanisms, mitigation of development impacts, and monitoring to ensure that infrastructure and policy outcomes are achieved.

The DPD is supported by a policies map, evidence base and planning-application requirements. Together, these provide the basis for assessing masterplans and planning applications, negotiating infrastructure and mitigation, and monitoring delivery. Planning proposals must demonstrate how they comply with the DPD and the wider development plan, while also taking account of relevant national policy and other material planning considerations.