Cabinet backs bold and inspiring vision for Colchester

Date issued: 28 January 2021

Ambitious plans to make Colchester an even better and fairer borough have been backed by Colchester Borough Council’s Cabinet.

The refreshed Capital Strategy and Capital Programme set out the council’s ambitions for continuing long-term investment in land, buildings and other infrastructure, in line with the council’s reprioritised Strategic Vision 2020-2023 agreed last September.

Cllr David King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Resources, said: Despite the severe pressures on our day-to-day revenue spending, capital investment in our borough is prudent and affordable at a time of low interest rates and is vital to economic and pandemic recovery. This council will do all it can to attract and secure investment that will preserve or create jobs – hugely important at a terrible time for retail and hospitality. 

“With over £43m of capital investment spent on tackling climate change, economic growth, health and wellbeing, improved homes and the attractiveness of Colchester as a destination, our Strategic Vision and Capital Programme work together to create an inspiring vision for Colchester.

“They are made up of key ambitions that we can all work towards, to make Colchester an even better place in which to work, live and visit. Vital, when the new priority will soon be to attract other investment and what will help retail and hospitality jobs.”
Investment for approved schemes, including:

• Electric vehicle recharging points – £114k
• Fleet upgrade – £1.2m
• Leisure World pool view cameras – £120k
• Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park signage – £100k

Investment for new schemes, including:

• Leisure World conversion of artificial pitch – £250k
• Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park recreational play equipment – £250k
• Colchester Northern Gateway wastewater improvements – £250k
• Mercury Theatre redevelopment additional costs – £1.2m
• Mercury Theatre landscape works – £350k
• Queen Street grow-on facility – £5.7m
• St Mark’s Community Centre – £1.5m
• Rowan House heat source pump – £500k
• Rowan House refurbishment – £1.3m
• Housing Investment Programme – £40m
• St Nicholas Square public space – £671k
• A12 Junction 28 works – £350k
• Detailed planning Colchester Northern Gateway – £575k
• Vineyard car park lift replacement – £130k
• Floating pontoon at Coast Road, West Mersea – £86k
• Garrison Gym playground – £306k
• Cemetery extension summer house, electric gates and solar lighting – £80k

Proposed Town Deal schemes, including:

• Balkerne Gate phase 2 – £1.1m
• Youth Zone – £8.4m
• Holy Trinity Church Community Hub – £540k
• Trinity Square – £500k
• Kerbless and Green Streets – £1.5m
• Heart of Greenstead – £6.7m
• 5G – £2m
• Wilson Marriage digital hub – £1m
• Essex County Hospital new public realm – £500k
• ‘Jumbo’ water tower – £1m
• Highways walking and cycling – £13m
• Liveable Neighbourhoods and School Streets – £2.1m
• Vineyard Gateway – £1m 

Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, added: “Our borough is already an outstanding place to live, but we don’t want to stand still.

“Our Strategic Vision and Capital Programme set out ambitious plans to make Colchester a better borough – a place where everyone has a chance to succeed, where nobody gets left behind and where everyone can see the investment being made to their town.
 
“Despite some extremely harsh economic challenges made worse by the coronavirus pandemic, the Capital Programme reflects our long-term vision and commitment to invest in our communities, buildings and infrastructure in ways that will deliver tangible and sustainable benefits for all – helping us recover from this terrible pandemic and making the future of Colchester even better than it is today.”

Residents can keep up to date with these projects and take part in conversations via the EnjoyColchester page on Facebook and @YourColchester on Twitter.
 
The Council’s Cabinet meeting yesterday (27 January) approved the proposals in the Capital Strategy and Capital Programme, which will now be put before Full Council on 24 February.