Colchester Jumbo water tower has new plans submitted

North Essex Heritage has applied to Colchester Council for permission to repair and renovate the tower, in Balkerne Gate.

The 141-year-old water tower was leased to North Essex Heritage by the building’s owner, Paul Flatman, in 2021 for a period of 150 years.

North Essex Heritage is working hard to restore the building to its former glory whilst making it a commercially viable facility which will pay for the building’s upkeep.

Landmark - the jumbo from High Street (Image: North Essex Heritage) The charity has already received £250,000 development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, teamed up with the Council to secure £1.1million in government grants, and recently applied for a massive £7million grant in a bit to help save the Jumbo.

It is estimated that fully restoring Jumbo will cost North Essex Heritage an estimated £10.5million.

In 2021, there were talks of adding a restaurant to the tank section of the water tower and the charity says this is still being considered.

But North Essex Heritage has updated its plans in a new application to Colchester Council with a goal to “repair, restore, and adapt the Grade II listed heritage asset”.

A planning statement said it hopes to “provide a viable and sustainable new use for Jumbo, creating a community asset with a commercial edge”.

It also said: “improve public accessibility to the tower and the industrial aesthetic of its internal spaces, and tell the story of Jumbo as a visitor attraction.

CGI - imagery of how the Jumbo water tower could look in the future (Image: Purcell) “And to make a valuable contribution to the surrounding public realm and townscape.”

The plans will see a “multifunctional heritage” site and “private hire event space” created.

The planning application plans include an “immersive public exhibition” which details the history, engineering and use of the Victorian water tower, as well as highlighting the historic and contemporary issues of water supply.

This exhibition experience would start from the ground floor and go up to the engineers’ floor, the tank and cupola, providing 360-degree views of the city.

Interestingly, Jumbo will also be available for hire – including weddings, banquets, parties, and other private events, with a capacity of up to 120 people.

Vision - how the exterior west entrance to the water tower could look (Image: Purcell) North Essex Heritage would also like for it to be used for “ticketed live entertainment events in collaboration with Mercury Theatre or Colchester Arts Centre”.

For safety purposes and to ensure the water tower can be easily accessed by all, a staircase has been proposed to be built, alongside an elevator that can reach every floor.

Plans show that the ground floor would have three specific areas, the southern main entrance to provide access to the water tank, the northern area which includes a lobby, accessible water closet and an office.

Separate access from the north side of the water tower will provide an entrance to the plant room.

Simon Hall MBE and chairman of North Essex Heritage said: "We are very happy The Jumbo Project has reached this exciting stage, and we have applied to Colchester Council for planning and listed building consent.

Simon Hall

"Jumbo is continuing to decay, and the Jumbo Project is the last realistic chance to save it.

“The plans, which have been carefully developed with experts over many years, include using the huge water tank as a multifunctional heritage interpretation space and destination venue.

"An immersive audio-visual display in the tank will enhance the unique visitor experience, bringing alive our city’s history, industrial contribution, arts and culture.

"When not in use for public tours and events, the tank could house a restaurant, bar, conference venue for up to 120 people, a lift, new staircase, service floor and reception area are included in the plans."