Exciting new planshave been unveiled to transform the derelict area of the Hythe, Colchester, into a waterside village.

The pioneering project is the brainchild of the Colchester Economic Forum and could see work starting in as little as 12 months.

The hope is to switch the now-derelict, rubbish-strewn ghostland into a bustling marina-type development with housing across the price scale, shops, "river recreation", a "network of safe streets," and extensive footpaths and cycleways.

And developers are even planning to maintain high water in the harbour area, currently more often a mud bath.

Unveiling the proposals at Colchester Town Hall today, Rodney Pollard, of Colchester Economic Forum, admitted it was a big project but said there was a great deal of enthusiasm.

He said: "It is an area that is very badly neglected. There's no question in our minds that it is ugly and it needs serious attention - and fast.

"We have established the Colne Harbour Project Group to try to lead the way in terms of development to obtain a much better outlook for both people and businesses there.

"It's a central point in Colchester and at the moment surely anyone who goes down there cannot possibly have any pride in what they see. We want to change that and make it an area to be truly proud of."

The project group has appointed David Balcombe , a specialist adviser on urban regeneration and historic buildings, to produce a master plan for the area.

It is hoped that by the end of September he will have drawn up a draft plan which will go out to public consultation and, subject to funding, the first sod could be turned in the new millennium.

It is envisaged that the cash to fund the project will come from both public and private sources. The project anticipates housing associations may be interested in building social housing and other developers, seeing the potential rise in land values, will snap up the chance to be a part of the exciting new scheme.

Colchester Council will work alongside the harbour project group on the proposals which will run in tandem with the authority's single regeneration bid for £2.2 million of Government cash to breathe new life into the more residential areas of the east of town.

The harbour waterside scheme follows Colchester Council's decision to close the loss-making port.

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