Plans for Copford buisness park recommended for approval

Plans for a new business park in Copford were submitted to Colchester Council’s planning committee in early 2023. 

The blueprints suggest more than 4200 sq metres for offices and 141 car parking spaces to be built off London Road. 

The developer stated in a design and access statement: “We hope to deliver a high quality piece of architecture that is a welcome addition to the local townscape of Copford. We wish to work together with Colchester Council to create a positive, meaningful addition to the area.” 

Area - a Google Map images taken from the side of AGM House (Image: Google Maps)

But residents in the area said the plans were “unacceptable” as they would be “imposing an overwhelming visual clash with the farmland and protected amenity of Pitts Wood”. 

They criticised the additional prospect of more traffic in the area and the size of the development. 

Copford and Easthorpe Parish Council also voiced their objections to the project, saying that the style would be “out of all proportion” and would “cause extreme distress to the residents”. 

In a statement, the council said: “Copford is a village. This sort of development does not belong in a village nor can the village adequately support it, therefore any support will bring with it the elements of town living that Copford simply can’t sustain.” 

Following the wave of objection comments, Marks Tey and Layer councillor Andrew Ellis called the application in to be reviewed by the committee in July after improved plans were submitted. 

Council officers have now recommended the plans for approval, bound to a number of conditions and an undertaking to secure a financial contribution to the Colchester Car Club. 

In a report, the officers stated: “Taken as a whole, it is considered that, subject to appropriate conditions, the proposal will deliver a raft of social and economic benefits, and that the development is otherwise acceptable with regards to wider material planning considerations, including in terms of impacts on the character and appearance of the area, and highway safety and capacity.  

“The proposal is also considered acceptable in terms of neighbouring amenity, particularly in light of the amendments made, which are considered to improve the relationship between the proposed development and neighbouring residential properties.” 

The plans are yet to be decided by Colchester Council.