Listed buildings recently occupied by squatters could be returned to their "former splendour" under plans submitted to Colchester Council.

Turlbrook Properties have designs to convert 83-88 East Hill, Colchester, to apartments and build new homes.

Squatters were evicted from the Grade II listed building, known as the Colchester Radical Centre, in August.

The Colchester Radical Collective was a group of anti-capitalist students and friends, and the centre was designed to use the building with an open door policy for the benefit of the community.

The former owners, Insurance group Capita, won possession of the site at Colchester County Court.

Now new owners Turlbrook Properties want to convert the existing buildings into apartments and build new homes, in a development creating 24 homes in total.

A spokesman for Quarnford Associates, agents for Turlbrook, said the plan would restore the buildings to their original use.

Published Tuesday October 15, 2002

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