Empty storage space around Colchester bar set to become flats

Blueprints for 22 new residential units in Long Wyre Street have been submitted to Colchester Council. 

The plans are for the space above the former Argos. 

The No Name Bar, a sports and entertainment bar, which moved into the ground floor will be unaffected by the development. 

The first floor of the building was previously used as storage but has been vacant for more than three years. 

Shop - The property used to be a store and storage for Argos (Image: Google Street View)

Most of the existing roof is suggested to be removed to create an external courtyard, while three apartments are proposed for the ground floor. 

In a planning statement, the developer said: “The provisions of new residential accommodation in the city centre provide benefits with regards to the vitality and viability of the city centre.  

“This proposal retains the active frontage on to Long Wyre Street but seeks to make use of the underused upper floors of what was once a large Co-op department store, and more recently, the warehouse space for retailer Argos.” 

Bar - No Name Bar will be unaffected by the development (Image: Newsquest)

Previous talks with planning officers at Colchester Council revealed concerns about the initial design of the internal elevations of the courtyard, resulting in a ‘stark’ contrast with the historic elevation. 

Following a re-design, new plans were included in the submission, including “greater synergy across the building as a whole”. 

The changes to the roof will not result in changes to the height of the building, but are supposed to improve the level of sunlight to the rear in Victoria Place. 

As a car-free development, the scheme has incorporated cycle storage, with a designated area, which has been ensured “the highest possible level of security, with optimal level of natural surveillance from all units with a courtyard facing window or balcony”. 

Castle ward councillor Richard Kirkby-Taylor said: “I have not looked at these particular plans in detail but bringing more people to live in the town centre will always be a good idea. 

Councillor - Castle ward councillor Richard Kirkby-Taylor sees the development as a good opportunity (Image: Newsquest)

“We need to encourage people to live where they work or near where they work, so this could be good. 

“However, there are my long-standing concerns of the accommodation being too small, inadequately built and supplied, and of low quality.” 

Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans.