Protesters: 'Stop the cultural slaughter' of Colchester town centre

Community Voice Colchester is calling on the powers that be to “stop the cultural slaughter” of the town centre which began with a protest.

The Alumno Group has not yet submitted an application to the council for Painters Yard but protesters believe “culture comes from the hearts and minds of residents”, organiser Victoria Weaver said, and cannot be manufactured with mass development.

She said: “Residents want a true cultural quarter and bearing in mind there are some good proposals in it like a dance studio and a few art studios, but residents don’t feel that’s enough. They want something that starts from the bottom up.

“I always use Camden Market as an example of what you want - something that’s creative and individual, not handed down by a company.”

“Culture comes from the residents and artists and letting them personalise things. You can’t just inject money into things and expect there to be a lot of culture.”

“We want to have a say in what it looks like because it’s our cultural quarter and we don’t want it ruined by ugly development.

“And if we do build this they’ll be no going back so we have to get it right.”

Victoria Weaver speaking at a recent Stop Universal Credit demo. Picture: David Ross

Painters Yard will regenerate the old Queen Street bus station and St James’ House.

The proposals, which the public can still feedback on, contain student accommodation, a Travelodge hotel, and commercial space.

Colchester Amphora Trading is managing the site’s long lease disposal, on behalf of Colchester Council.

Despite rumours, Colchester Amphora Homes has no involvement in the project.

To the north of the proposed development, a relocated link road will lead to Firstsite square, entrances to the new Curzon cinema and the gallery.

To the south there would be an access point down to Priory Street through the old theatre yard wall.

Victoria said: “There’ll be 330 flats crammed into a tiny space in between the Curzon and Firstsite.

“If you look at the size of the area, you soon see this is going to be a really crammed development and will ruin the views we want of Firstsite from the Curzon, and the balcony which was promised as a viewpoint.

“The idea that residents can create a cultural quarter is not unheard of, it’s just our council has the mindset it just needs to sell it to a developer to get it over and done with.”

Other concerns include “looser regulations” on student accommodation, increased noise and lack of car parking for town centre residents plus shoppers and tourists.

Protesters have their say

About 30 protesters met outside the Town Hall on Thursday night to lobby councillors. 

Victoria Weaver, who joined the protest, said it was a successful night. 

She said: "We started by speaking to people on the street about why we were there. Then we took a banner into the Town Hall and hung it over the balcony. 

"We were asked to take it down but by then we had made our point. We do plan to go to more planning meetings in the future." 

Visit paintersyard-stbotolphs.co.uk to have your say.