Colchester is a hive of activity at the moment. There are opportunities to improve the quality of life for local people and visitors including:
· Affordable housing
· Better accommodation for students and soldiers
· Less employment `leakage´
· Social and community facilities
· More cultural opportunities
· New transport infrastructure
· Improved health
Four regeneration areas are bringing 6000 new homes, 6000 new jobs, 500,000 extra visitors a year and up to 350,000sq ft of new retail space to the area. All this activity will see Colchester´s population expand from 156,000 to 173,000 by 2010.
If you already live in or around Colchester you´ll know what a vibrant and exciting place it is. Our history and heritage combined with a thriving modern town brings a particular quality of life to those who live and work here. There are exciting plans to make life in Colchester even better.
Colchester surrounding area is rich with picturesque villages and small towns entwined with coast and countryside.
Soak up calming views of the River Colne in the quaint waterfront towns of Wivenhoe and West Mersea. Visit Manningtree and Maldon. Lose yourself as you amble along tiny lanes beside patchwork fields, weaving across the Essex/Suffolk border to discover East Bergholt, Kersey, Hadleigh and Lavenham.
Take a breath of sea air at a seaside resort by meandering out of Colchester into the Tendring peninsula. Choose refined Frinton-on-Sea, divine for a Sunday stroll along the promenade to Walton-on-the-Naze or action packed Clacton-on-Sea next door with its fun filled pier. Discover island life on Mersea Island: great for sailing and famous for its oysters.
Head inland to Braintree to discover its silk tradition and nearby Tiptree to sample the world-famous Tiptree jams and preserves.
