SENIOR councillors have backed initial regeneration plans headed up by a football legend, but warned securing the necessary funding is far from guaranteed.

The Legacy Foundation, which is run by former Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand, West Ham skipper Mark Noble and former Premiership striker Bobby Zamora, hopes to transform parts of the Hythe into hundreds of homes and top class sports facilities.

Early plans have been submitted to the council for disused land in Haven Road including the former Coldock site and bosses are hoping 35 per cent of the homes would be set aside for social housing.

But in order for the project to get off the ground, a grant from the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency would be needed to pay for necessary infrastructure.

At a meeting of Colchester Council’s cabinet, members agreed to continue working with the Legacy Foundation and apply for the cash.

Council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) said: “We have to be clear this is the start of the development process.

“The site is very difficult to develop which is why it has not been renovated in the past.

“We may not get the grant, we may not get the other things we need in place but we think it is worth the effort to try because if it can get started it will probably be a great success.

“I cannot guarantee it will be successful but I hope it will be for the sake of the Hythe - it could make a real difference.”

Commercial services boss Annie Feltham (Lib Dem) said the plans were fantastic but still a long way from coming to fruition.

She said: “This application has to be successful before we can have any confidence the project is viable.”

Mike Lilley (Lab) represents the Hythe on the council.

He said: “If you look at what is on the site now, it is a mess which has been left to rot.

“The proposals are absolutely fantastic - what is there not to like?

“The area needs it and people have to travel away from the Hythe if they want sports facilities at the moment.” The Legacy Foundation is understood to looking at schemes across the country as well notably in Newham and Barking, having already completed a 1,300-home scheme outside Luton.

The foundation’s aim is allocated 50 per cent of its housing as affordable.

A statement on their website says: “We will be working with funding partners to devise a scheme that is both affordable and accessible for all.”