DEVELOPMENT can be a sore point when it comes to Colchester. In today’s paper we touch on two proposed schemes.

On the one hand, there is the ambitious - and certainly divisive - plans to build two new towns east and west of Colchester.

The projects should each make room for about 2,500 homes.

On the other hand, we bring you news of new plans for a part of Colchester which has been crying out for regeneration for years.

Legacy Foundation’s plans were first whispered in the town hall corridors in December last year, if not earlier.

But that’s all they were - whispers.

You might even remember when Rio Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora were spotted in Colchester High Street in February?

Well, that added more fuel to the fire.

So, at long last, today is the first time we can report this news.

And it will certainly not be the last time.

The proposals are to be broadly welcomed. There is no question the Hythe is in need of regeneration and has been for some years.

But let’s be careful we don’t get blinded by who is putting the proposals forward. They must be right for the Hythe and they must be right for Colchester.

We know all too well homes bring cars the Hythe infrastructure isn’t exactly blessed with space to build more roads. Only time will tell.

A business case is expected later this year and the devil will be in the detail.