COUNCILLORS have given a developer permission to convert a set of empty office blocks into social housing... but residents haven’t given up hope of halting the proposals.

Colchester Council’s planning committee voted narrowly in favour of granting Convivia Construction Limited prior approval to change the use of part of the Riverside Office Centre, in North Station Road, under permitted development rules.

The proposed development will see Century House, Fairfax House and Digby House turned into 93 flats, a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom homes, all of which will be social housing.

After prior approval was granted, councillor Mike Lilley (Lab, Old Heath and Hythe) has requested the decision be set aside and revisited. His request has been backed by Castle ward councillor Mark Goacher (Green).

Mr Goacher said: “Residents are shocked the committee did not seem to them to have the requisite time to fully acquaint themselves with the procedures and rules and that the complexity of the issues seemed to require much longer consideration.”

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Anna Bolton has been leading a campaign from residents to stop the development.

More than 30 residents attended in person on Thursday evening to show the level of concern about the plans.

Ms Bolton said residents’ written submissions weren’t taken into consideration.

“I had three minutes to get across our point of view on what is hugely complex application and planning law,” she said.

“Having spent months reading and learning around planning reform it was hugely disappointing none of committee seemed to have even heard of this before it was brought before them.

“Surely to pause and give time to read around the application would have been the better course of action.”