A MAJOR revamp of an area in Colchester city centre is to get underway this Sunday.

St Nicholas Square, which is just off Colchester High Street, is going to be redeveloped using funds from the £19.2million support package granted to Colchester as part of the government’s Town Deal fund in 2021.

With the plans for regenerating St Nicholas Square having been drawn up over the past two years, work will start on Sunday with the removal of yew trees which specialists have said are in poor condition.

Carrying out the work are the Colchester based architecture firm HAT projects, alongside Colchester Amphora, who have been advised by tree experts the yew trees cannot be pruned or moved safely.

Tree specialists added the poisonous berries and seeds which fall from yew trees during the autumn months meant the decision to remove the trees was also made on health and safety grounds.

Colchester Council leader David King has welcomed the start of the project, adding the new trees will be more suitable for the public space.

He said: “It is great news that we can now start the renewal of St Nicholas Square.

“Ensuring the space is suitable for the public to use is essential to the success of the project.

“We look forward to new trees that will be just right for their location and, when the work is completed, will help Colchester residents to enjoy this beautiful new space.”

The replacement trees which will be planted in St Nicholas Square include a London Plane and three Turkish hazel trees.

Once removed, the yew trees will be cut up and recycled into ready-to-burn firewood, whilst the wood chips will be taken to a biomass plant and turned into electricity for the national grid.

Longer term, pavements are expected to be made wider in the area with space for bars, cafés and restaurants in the area to have outside seating.

Further surveys on the square are due to take place next month, with groundwork to take place at the Lion Walk end of St Nicholas Square in the early spring.