Appeal made for Copford assisted-living flats plan

Colchester Council turned down the proposal to build a block of assisted living flats in Copford earlier this year.

Anchor Housing Association has now launched an appeal in a bid to overturn the decision.

In March, Colchester Council’s planning committee refused proposals, with the development failing to reach the “appropriate high standard of design”.

It was branded “not visually attractive”.

After four votes in favour of approval and six against, the committee went against the recommendation.

Protest - A previous protest against the plans in Copford (Image: Newsquest)

It followed hundreds of objections and concerns being received by the council, including worries over the size of the project and access to the development through nearby cul-de-sac Queensbury Avenue.

An extension to Dorothy Curtice Court, an existing development of sheltered accommodation in London Road, was included in the plans, adding 18 new residential units to proposed block’s 72 flats.

The same number of units is being asked for as in the rejected proposal.

The developer’s architect Tooley Foster said: “If significantly fewer flats were provided, the service charge per flat would increase to a point where it becomes unaffordable for some residents."

Site - The planned site is behind Dorothy Curtis Court (Image: Newsquest)

For a two-storey building to have all the assisted living facilities – including a common room, wellness rooms and a bistro – would require “unacceptable corridor lengths”.

Mr Foster also said the cost of a three-storey building is lower than that of a one or two-storey building “due to economies of scale”.

Mr Foster also said the existing next-door two-storey Dorothy Curtice Court complex has “an extremely steep roof pitch” making it comparable to three storeys.

Easthorpe Parish Council chairman Graham Barney told the Gazette in March that he thought an appeal “wouldn’t go through” if lodged.

He said: “We aren’t against these developments, but it has to be the right housing in the right place with the fight facilities.”