Homes plans for Britannia and Vineyard Street car parks to proceed

The plans could see 120 new homes created at the Britannia and 70 new homes along with comercial units built at Vineyard Street in the town centre.

At a meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday, Gerard Oxford (Ind, Highwoods) raised concerns about the density of the housing, the loss of car park income and the impact of the schemes on nearby historic buildings like the Roman town wall and St Botolph’s Priory.

He said: “If these sites are developed, vibrations from the groundworks is a real worry and could impact adversely on those monuments.

“It should be low density, low in height and not built anywhere near to the ancient monuments.”

He added the idea of the developments being car-free was “pie in the sky”.

“It would be lovely as an ideal but I can’t see it happening,” he said.

Council leader Mark Cory said the town’s heritage would be improved, not dam - aged, by the plans.

He said: “We are very clear heritage will be protected.

“We are keeping the height low and we are actually mimicking the old medieval street there before at Vineyard Gate.

“They are tight knit because we are not going high in height it will be a small network of alleyways which will be car free we hope.”

Culture boss Julie Young added: “We have been seeking advice from Historic England in terms of the design and we will be consulting widely to conserve the archaeology and settings going forward.

“These proposals will help us make the most of our assets.”

The council says it will will look to provide alternative car parking spaces elsewhere in the town centre, whilst promising provision for disabled drivers will be maintained or improved.

Read more:

• Homes plan for Vineyard Street and Britannia car parks in Colchester
• Colchester residents' questions answered on car park homes plans
• All we know about homes plan for Britannia and Vineyard Street car parks

Communities, wellbeing and public safety boss Mike Lilley said decisions about where alternative parking could be provided would take place once an expert review had finished.

He said: “As the town centre is changing so much we are working with the BID to see what they want in the future.

“When the report arrives in June or July we can look at what is best for Colchester.”

Cabinet voted to continue examining the proposals.