An ambitious new development, set to bring homes, healthcare facilities and business units to North Colchester, moved a step closer last night (Thursday) after it was awarded outline planning permission.
Colchester Borough Council’s proposed development at the former Colchester Rugby Club site, off Mill Road, located south of the A12 will bring significant investment, homes and facilities to the town.
The scheme includes providing
- 350 new family homes – (including 105 social homes)
- a healthcare campus with 300 homes for older people
- a 20-bed private acute surgical hospital
- a new medical centre that can accommodate more GPs
- a 75-bed care home
- 45,100sqm of office and commercial space
- new neighbourhood food and retail outlets
- a community centre and public open space
Last night’s meeting of the council’s planning committee backed the plans subject to a Section 106 agreement to secure funding for the new infrastructure, including education, the NHS and a new community centre. It is also subject to ratification by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
This development forms part of the council’s wider Northern Gateway vision, which includes the recently opened £28.8m Sports Park and provides a new home for the relocated archery and rugby sports clubs from the Mill Road site.
There is already planning permission for a new leisure development bringing a 12-screen cinema, restaurants, hotel, bowling alley, indoor golf and climbing centre adjacent to the Community Stadium and David Lloyd tennis centre.
The whole approved development will benefit from a low carbon District Heat Network, using natural renewable energy from underground sources to provide heating and hot water for the whole area, and an integral digital network providing ultra-fast broadband to the new local homes and businesses.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Dundas, said: “This is a huge step forward for this ambitious project that will help transform this area of the Northern Gateway and bring jobs, affordable housing and facilities benefiting the whole community.
“This is a significant investment into our borough, which is extremely important to boost economic recovery following the impact of Covid-19. I look forward to this project continuing to take shape for the benefit of our residents and Colchester’s future.”
The development of the site will be managed by the Amphora Group of companies: Colchester Amphora Trading Ltd, Colchester Amphora Homes Ltd and Colchester Amphora Energy Ltd, the council’s wholly owned commercial companies.
For further information on Colchester’s Northern Gateway visit: https://northerngatewaycolchester.co.uk/
Page last reviewed: 30 July 2021