A BRAND new hospital is to be built in Colchester, alongside a care home and 350 houses.

The landmark project, in the Northern Gateway, on land south of Axial Way, plans to turn the area into a “regional centre of excellence”.

The approved blueprints feature up to 350 houses, 300 older people’s homes, a medical centre, health campus and a private hospital.

There will also be a 75-bed care home, 45,100sqm of office space, provision for new shops and land for a restaurant or café.

Gazette: Drawing - an outline plan of the siteDrawing - an outline plan of the site (Image: Colchester City Council)

The major scheme has been estimated to be worth £3.45million.

Colchester Council, the applicant, also secured permission for a renewable energy centre and pedestrian and cycle routes at the site.

An economic impact assessment submitted as part of the application suggested the plans could save the NHS as much as £90,200 per year in hospital in-patient admissions.

The scheme is claimed to have scope to create as many as 2,600 full time jobs in the area.

Gazette: Vacant - the land off Axial WayVacant - the land off Axial Way (Image: Google)

A planning statement reads: “Colchester and in particular the Northern Gateway would seem an obvious location at which to grow and develop the sector in to a regional centre of excellence.

“The development has the potential to provide significant further employment across a huge range of disciplines.”

Mile End councillor David King hailed the planning decision as a “significant step” for the city.

He said: “This is another huge step forward for a council that has an ambition to improve the quality of life for people in our city.

Gazette: Barren - the land has remained vacant for yearsBarren - the land has remained vacant for years (Image: Google)

“This will be a high quality development when complete. It will allow us to round off the development of the Northern Gateway with its first class leisure and entertainment facilities.

“This is another significant step towards breaking ground and carrying an exciting vision.”

Fellow Mile End councillor Martin Goss said investment into generational healthcare is needed in Colchester.

He added: “Unfortunately the private sector is now having to play a bigger role in delivering care because clearly the NHS is unable to cope.

“This will be a first-class development with some really high quality facilities.”