Architect wants to 'celebrate' Colchester's Roman history

Exciting plans to rebuild the Roman Circus were unveiled by Dedham based classic architect Francis Terry. 

It would involve authentically reconstructing the gates and structuring new housing around the site to show off its size.

Colchester’s Roman Circus is believed to be Britain’s only Roman circus, which was discovered 20 years ago and had arches five metres in height when it was first built around 125AD.

Huge - Mr Terry's plan would outline the walls of the circus with housing to demonstrate its size. (Image: Francis Terry & Associates) Mr Terry said: “I think there’s such an appetite for Colchester’s Roman history in the people of Colchester.

“The reconstruction of the gates would be a completely faithful copy of what was there, as the Romans would’ve done it, and it will be there forever.

“I visited the site, and I thought if only there’s a wall to show where the space was and get a sense of what it was like to be there and how big it was—450m long, massively long and wide.

“I thought that cities always need housing, so why not use housing to delineate where this space was?”

Mr Terry’s new plans use an as yet undisclosed number of houses to outline where the walls of the circus stood, with a large green in the middle for the circus’ floor.

Mastermind - Mr Terry thinks there is a real 'appetite' for Colchester's Roman history. (Image: Francis Terry & Associates) He said: “Building the arch I think is a relatively straightforward thing to do, while the wider urban setting is quite complicated.

“But lots of these cities are getting less and less investment, and Colchester needs to do the opposite and do something really exciting and interesting.

“Tourists will come, people will enjoy living here, and it will go into a really virtuous circle.”

The gates could be rebuilt with donations and sponsorships, for a sum of £1.4 million.

Historic - Mr Terry believes this reconstruction would attract many tourists to the area. (Image: Francis Terry & Associates)Mr Terry continued: “I want the people of Colchester to feel its theirs, but if we couldn’t raise funds locally, I think there would be interest from Roman architecture enthusiasts from around the globe.

“This project relies very much on the public being behind it, and I would love to have letters from people of their support to put in with a planning application.

“I can finally see people really excited and hoping it happens—and I can see it happening.”

To email Francis to support the project, contact info@ftanda.co.uk