COLCHESTER Council has been accused of failing to support traders as it looks set to approve plans for 150 homes on a business park.

F&C Commercial Property Trust wants to demolish company premises at the Cowdray Centre, off Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, to make way for the homes and business units.

However, most of the 19 businesses at the site will not be suitable for the new units.

Brian Nunn, who runs MOT-a-Bike with son Martin, said he was disappointed Colchester Council had not been more supportive.

Mr Nunn, 73, said: “Not once has the council come to talk about it. It just doesn’t want the trade any more.

"The council hasn’t spoken to us, or offered any other businesses other premises. Quite a few people have already left the estate.

“I’m sure once the scheme is passed we will get the six-month notice to leave, but, fortunately for us, we’re in the process of moving to new premises, in Davey Close.

“I feel sorry for others because they have no idea where they will go.”

The businesses have been on short-term leases since a fire ravaged part of the site in 2006. As of this January, 19 units were occupied and ten vacant.

There are limited opportunities for businesses to remain at the trade park under the proposals.

A planning report said the businesses were “not strictly employment uses” and were capable of relocating to the town centre or edge of the town centre.

However, the lack of opportunities for on-site relocation was not considered a reason for refusal of planning permission as it was “not the function of the planning system to protect individual traders”.

Martin Nunn said: “It clearly states unless you are shops, you better go and find somewhere else, as you won’t be wanted on the Cowdray Centre.

“A lot of the businesses are light commercial and will have nowhere to go. We have had no approach from anyone in the council to help people move.

“It shows the council has no desire to support businesses, or to listen to concerns.

“We have been forced to move out because up to now we have had no information regarding the development.

"I still feel very worried for the remaining businesses and where they will go, as options are extremely limited.”

Gazette:

The council said its enterprise team would help businesses to find properties, get advice and support and help any workers made redundant, and had dealt with six enquiries.

A spokesman for F&C Commercial Property Trust declined to comment.

The council’s planning committee has been advised to approve the application on Thursday.