RESIDENTS won a battle to cut the number of student flats being built near their Colchester homes – only to find a fresh application might be on the way.

Borough councillors have narrowly voted to allow new student flats in Avon Way, Greenstead, because the developer dropped plans for two blocks residents in nearby Pickford Walk found most objectionable.

But developer, the Mansion Group, had admitted it still hopes to build more than the 20 flats, housing 81 students, agreed by the council by the narrowest of margins.

Tim Young, St Andrew’s ward councillor, said any buildings close to Pickford Walk would “totally blight” residents’ lives.

He added: “This is an expedient move by the developer so it could start building quickly. It will come back with more plans.”

Objectors also raised concerns about how students would cross Clingoe Hill to reach the university campus. Two students have been killed in accidents there in recent years. John Manning, councillor for Wivenhoe Cross councillor, said: “This is putting another 81 young people in danger.”

The council’s planning committee was told a pedestrian crossing across Clingoe Hill would be built as part of plans for the university’s new research park.

Chairman Ray Gamble cast the deciding vote in favour of the revised plans after the committee tied on the issue.