Have your say and help protect the Essex Coast

Local councils are seeking to protect birds and habitats on the Essex coast and want your views. A six-week-long public consultation on the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy draft Supplementary Planning Document (or Essex Coast RAMS draft SPD) will begin today (Friday 10 January).

Chelmsford City Council, in partnership with eleven other councils in Essex, has published the Essex Coast RAMS draft SPD for consultation finishing on 21 February. The document sets out a long-term strategic approach to lessen the impact of local housing development on protected birds and habitats along the Essex coast. It will do this through a series of mitigation measures, funded through new residential development, which encourage everyone visiting the coast to enjoy their time responsibly.

A large portion of the Essex coast is covered by international and European wildlife designations which seek to protect wildfowl and wading birds, as well as their coastal habitats. Population growth in Essex is likely to increase the number of visitors to these sensitive coastal areas for recreation, creating potential for increased disturbance to the birds and their habitats unless this is adequately managed.

Cabinet Member for Greener Chelmsford, Councillor Mike Mackrory, said “This is a really important document, so please do have your say before the deadline of 21 February. The Essex Coast RAMS draft SPD provides information on the types of development covered, details what anyone applying to carry out the development needs to do and the level of contributions that developers will be asked for to mitigate any impact.”

The six-week consultation begins on Friday 10 January and finishes on Friday 21 February. You can find out how to get involved during the consultation period at https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/place-services/the-essex-coast-rams-spd.

More information will also be available at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/rams-spd. To get in touch, email [email protected] or call 01245 606330.

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