4 controversial Colchester planning applications awaiting decisions

The town is widely regarded as the fastest growing part of the east of England with its population is growing rapidly.

The building of new homes has long been a contentious issue in the town, with some saying the borough is growing too fast.

But others say the need for new homes shows what an attractive place to live Colchester is.

Planning is always a hot topic in the borough and despite coronavirus causing delays to the system, that is very much still the case.

It isn't just new homes going up either, there are huge new retail and leisure developments also in the pipeline or already approved.

Some applications draw more criticism than others, before they go to the planning committee.

In fact, some of the most controversial planning applications we've seen in recent years are still awaiting decisions.

Here are five of the most controversial:

New McDonald's

 

The fast food giant hopes to open its fifth restaurant in the town at the Turner Rise Retail Park.

Schroder UK Real Estate Fund has applied for planning permission to create the new fast food restaurant and drive-thru between PizzaHut and Go Outdoors, creating 65 new jobs.

But the plans have proved controversial amongst residents.

The main issues raised by residents are the increase in traffic around North Station, which is already a congestion hotspot, and the affect on residents’ health.

More than 120 objections have been submitted on the planning portal.

But the applicant has defended the proposals and hit back at the concerns.

Colchester Council's planning committee will be asked to make a decision on whether or not to approve the plans.

Read more here.

Asda click and collect revamp

 

The supermarket giant has applied for permission to revamp the click and collect facility at its Colchester store, near North Station.

Plans will see a new external pod created at the front of the shop for storage whilst the existing click and collect canopy will be removed and replaced.

But residents and councillors have criticised the move, saying it would take valuable space for walking and cycling away from the area.

Colchester Cycling Campaign has submitted an official objection to the plan whilst ward councillor Martin Goss (Lib Dem, Mile End) has called in the plans.

This means the planning committee will now be asked to decided upon the proposals.

Read more >>> Asda urged to drop plan for click and collect revamp at Colchester store

Old Odeon

 

The old Odeon in Crouch Street has been a controversial topic for more than 15 years.

The latest plans for the historic building, which has been blighted by antisocial behaviour, were submitted in 2020.

Developer Blumarble wants to pull down the building before replacing the historic frontage and creating 55 flats.

The plans have drawn criticism from residents, councillors and historic building experts including Historic England.

The planning portal has gone quiet in recent months, with the last documents uploaded in July last year.

However, a decision has not yet been issued on the controversial proposals, and they have not yet been withdrawn.

Read more >>> Historic England objects to plan to demolish old Odeon in Colchester

Alumno ramp

 

Alumno's student flats scheme, is probably the most controversial planning application in Colchester's history.

The original application drew about 800 objections from the public.

However, it was approved after a planning appeal by an inspector.

A condition means the development can only go-ahead when designs for ramp access to Priory Street car park are rubber-stamped.

These plans have now been submitted to Colchester Council for approval.

Campaigners have already raised concerns about how this could harm the historic Victorian section of the town wall.

The firm has insisted no damage will be done to the Roman town wall, but plans mean holes will need to be made in the theatre wall in question in order to make the ramp comply with disability regulations.

Alumno's managing director David Campbell said: "We can categorically state that the application does not result in the alteration of the Roman wall.

"The proposals affect the old theatre wall, which is currently abutted by the old bus station building.

"The principle of putting an access ramp in this location was agreed as a part of the planning permission.

"It also accords with the Council’s adopted SPD and the design approach is fully in line fully with the feedback, and indeed the wishes, of campaigners after an extensive debate.”

Read more >>> Alumno: Anger at plans for ramp linking flats and Priory Street car park

Demolition of old Conservative Club

 

Neil Bischoff has applied for planning permission to demolish the old Colchester Conservative Club, in High Street, as well as the retail unit below, belonging to Claydons Newsagents.

The retail unit would be rebuilt for the same tenant whilst nine flats, five one-bed and four two-beds, would be built over three floors.

Colchester Conservative Club, which moved to the High Street premises in 1928, closed for good in 2018 due to dwindling membership and the declining use of the club by the community.

Residents have objected to the plan in their droves, with 31 submitted on the planning portal.

Historic England has also criticised the plans, with the building in the town centre conservation area.

The plans have not yet been decided on, with some wondering why the decision has been so delayed.

UPDATE 11 April: The plans have officially been withdrawn. 

Read more >>> Historic England objects to plans to demolish Colchester Conservative Club