Colchester Roman Circus homes plans refused by council

Colchester Council debated plans for the homes to be built at the former Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) site in Flagstaff Road at the last planning meeting. 

The disused ABRO site includes a significant section of the only known Roman Circus in northern Europe.

The site was previously part of the Royal Artillery Barracks, forming the northernmost part of the old Colchester Garrison.

It was vacated in 2019 and has stood empty ever since, with the land sold by the Ministry of Defence for £8.85 million in 2022.

Blueprints showed the large buildings at the south of the former ABRO land, built on top of a section of the Roman Circus, would be demolished and transformed into public open space.

But the plans have now been put on ice after ten councillors voting against it. 

Concerns were raised about the potential harm caused to the heritage sites which would be built on, with the "public benefits of the plans not outweighing the harm caused".

Plans also included the company redoing the Roman Circus visitor centre. 

Councillor Julie Young said: "The weight of this decision weighs heavy on us all. I think there is some significant concerns around whether this is the best that we can get.

"How we can get to something better is my question really."

It comes days after it was announced a group has been formed to champion Colchester’s historic Roman Circus and help it become a major visitor attraction.

Group - History and archaeology experts have come together to champion Colchester's Roman Circus (Image: Submitted)

Ms Young added: "I think the new committee, that as I understand has been brought together with Colchester archaeological trust, English Heritage and other interested parties, really could drive something really special forwards to make sure we have a really attractive visitor centre that is not just a tatty hut."

Another significant concern was the fact a managing company would be looking after the land and concerns about using private companies. 

Plan - The site (outlined in red) includes a public path to reference the circus' circuit (Image: Scene Architects)

Councillor Martyn Warnes, chair of the meeting, who has 15 years of experience in social housing, said: "Delegating to a private management company would not necessarily in my mind be a win-win situation because you would have to spend money on monitoring the work that was done.

"Given the importance of this site you would want that to be a higher frequency and in my own experience when a contract becomes unviable for a private contractor it's not unheard of them walking away from the contract."

Opposition - Former councillor Adam Fox and now MP Pam Cox outside the former ABRO site (Image: Newsquest)

Local architect Francis Terry said: "It's great to see Colchester’s Roman past being taken seriously.

"We now have an opportunity to give the circus an architectural setting worthy of its historical significance."