Adventureland soft play Colchester flats plans resubmitted

Bosses at Childsplay Adventureland were given the green light for the plans during the summer having closed the venue due to the effects of the pandemic.

The centre in Clarendon Way had long been a favourite among families in Colchester, hosting birthday parties and fun-filled days out.

The bid is for the building be demolished to make way for 21 residential apartments.

But the applicant has had to resubmit the plans after an “error in the site boundaries”.

The application is identical to the approved bid but with alternations to the boundary.

A cover letter sent to Colchester Council said: “This current application is required to remedy an error in the site boundaries, which formed part of the original planning approval.

“In that application it transpired that small areas of the red line site were not in the applicant’s ownership and that the required notices on owners of these small areas were not served.

“This application alters the site boundary on the east side of the site.

“The design, layout and car parking are all as previously approved.”

The build will consist of three single bedroom flats and 18 two bedroom homes, with 27 car parking spaces provided.

It equates to one space per flat with six visitor spots, alongside a bicycle store for up to 42 bikes.

Proposed access into the development utilises the existing route from Clarendon Way and “will not compromise” access to nearby Childsplay day nursery and Everlast Gym.

The Adventureland building went on the market with a guide price of £1.5 million after it closed during the pandemic.

The building is described as a "substantial semi detached premises" with a restaurant area, kitchen, two party rooms and a first floor staff room and play area.

It was forced to shut in March 2020 as the UK plunged into a national lockdown, with soft play centres only permitted to reopen five months later.

Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans.