PLANS to demolish a former car showroom to make way for apartment blocks have been conditionally approved.
JKS Developments Ltd will soon be able to put its blueprints in place with the construction of 58 flats at the former Lookers Renault garage, in Military Road, Colchester.
It comes despite fears from health leaders that services in the New Town and Christ Church area could become overwhelmed.
Two residential blocks will be built as part of the scheme, housing 48 and ten apartments respectively.
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The accommodation will consist of 31 one bedroom and 27 two bedroom apartments.
All of the buildings on site, including the former car showroom with offices above and a six bay workshop, will be demolished.
The proposals also include the creation of private gardens for the ground floor flats and there will be 59 car parking spaces in total.
Colchester Council has now conditionally approved JKS Developments’ application.
It follows the developer scrapping plans for 44 sheltered housing units for people aged over 60 after the plans become “no longer viable” due to the “economic climate” last year.
On the latest masterplan, a planning statement says the proposed apartment blocks have been “carefully situated” to respect their existing surroundings.
The statement reads: “The scheme has evolved through collaboration with a number of specialist consultants.
“[It will] develop a deliverable scheme that not only meets policy requirements, but provides a high quality development that will significantly improve the existing site and its impact on the surrounding area.”
Concerns have been raised by the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group about the impact of the development on the area’s health services.
A comment reads: “The proposed development is likely to have an impact on the services of one main GP practice and three branch surgeries operating within the vicinity of the site.
“These GP practices and branch surgeries do not have capacity for the additional growth resulting from this development.”
One observer added they fear it could overshadow an allotment situated adjacent to the site.
An objector to the plans implored the developer to ensure dust emerging from the construction of the project is kept under control when works commence.
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