Plans to build 72-bed care home in Stanway rejected

Proposals to build a 72-bed care home for the elderly on land off the Stanway Western Bypass, Colchester, were submitted to Colchester Council’s planning department in July.

Several concerned residents wrote to planning bosses to voice their frustrations over the plans.

The planning authority wrote to the applicant on Wednesday to advise of their decision to refuse the development.

Land - the Stanway Western Bypass is surrounded by open green space (Image: Google)

The proposed development site spanned almost 12 acres, equivalent to almost seven Premier League football pitches, but included seven acres of “new public open space” and the diversion of a public footpath.

Why were the plans refused?

Outlining its reasons for declining the application, Colchester Council told the applicant the site is outside of the council’s settlement boundary and is defined as countryside.

“The countryside beyond the boundary provides an important function visually and physically beyond the development to the north and east,” planning officers wrote.

The council also pointed out that the open space is important for the overall character of the area, and that Colchester “has not been identified as a current area for growth in the [care] sector”.

One frustrated resident told Colchester Council that Stanway “is far too busy at it is”.

Congestion - Stane Park has made Stanway's roads very busy (Image: Public)

“We cannot afford for anything else to be put up unless the road layouts change,” they wrote.

“Stanway is getting far too busy and it’s ruining it for everyone; ultimately leading people to sell their much-loved homes.”

Plans for 225 new homes in Stanway

Another pointed out that the site is close to the Lakelands Centre, which opened earlier this year and is home to Colchester’s Anti Loo Roll Brigade.

New - the Lakelands Centre opened earlier this year (Image: Colchester City Council)

They added: “The proposed site is also used by the community as green open space. There has been a significant reduction in green open space in the immediate area.”

Residents feared a new care home close to a proposed housing development would see the green space decimated.

Proposals to build 225 homes off the Stanway Western Bypass were submitted to Colchester Council in 2021.

Developer O&H Properties says it will “assist in meeting the area’s open market and affordable housing needs”.