Colchester: More than 40 flats in Hawkins Road to be built

Planners at Colchester Council have given the green light to proposals to build 42 apartments on land west of Hawkins Road, at the Hythe.

The application dates back to February last year and will include 22 one-bedroom flats and 20 two-bedroom flats on a site formerly used as warehouses.

Ten more parking spaces will be created, taking the number up to 22 for the site.

The development will also include a ground floor commercial space and public open space.

Road - Hawkins Road (Image: Google Maps) Greenstead ward Councillor Tim Young said: “It fits in that area. I dare say it will mainly be occupied by students.

Happy - Councillor Tim Young “The council has done everything it can for flood mitigation, and added many conditions for the developer to make sure it is done as sustainably as possible.

“We are comfortable, I think it will hopefully be successful.

“We’re happy to give it the nod through.”

A landscape management plan detailing the long-term design objectives, a biodiversity management plan and construction method statement must be submitted before any work begins.

The Environment Agency had no objection to the planning application but there are “flood risk considerations”.

The site is located in a “tidal flood zone” and is classified as a “more vulnerable development”.

Location - another image of Hawkins Road (Image: Google Maps) However, a flood risk assessment carried out for the application claims that “the proposed development at Hawkins Road is neither at risk of flooding, nor does it increase the risk of flooding.”