Talks aimed at reshaping central Chelmsford by replacing the old gasworks with prestigious riverside apartments were held on Wednesday

Executives of Second Sight, the property arm of British Gas, discussed the matter with senior planners at the Civic Centre

The talks came soon after Chelmsford Borough Council refused to renew permission for a British Gas scheme for the prominent site beside the River Chelmer

The gas company had wanted to replace the gasholders with a cinema and pub-restaurant complex

Borough planning officer Sarah Hill-Sanders told the planning committee that the scheme had become outmoded in the five years since it was approved.

A more intensive use of the site, with less car parking and a mixture of residential, commercial, retail and leisure would now be required.

Planner Roy Chandler, who last year produced a complete brief for the Waterside area including the gasworks site, said: "British Gas now naturally want to get the best value from the site, so we expect a large proportion to be residential.

"The aim is to have only buses and residents' and service vehicles entering Waterside. A through route is not popular."

The planning committee also agreed on Tuesday to move the Navigation Road surface car park on to an adjacent site so that new mixed development with minimal car parking could take place next to Essex Record Office."

Published Friday, August 1, 2003

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