THE developer behind Tollgate Village has hit back at claims its plans caused the death of the ill-fated Vineyard Gate shopping centre scheme.

Daniel Watts, a director of the Tollgate Partnership also accused Colchester Council of “playing Monopoly” with taxpayers’ cash.

Colchester Council leader Paul Smith admitted last week the £70 million shopping centre project was dead in the water.

Gazette: tollgate village.

He cited a lack of interest in the town centre as a result of the Stanway retail and leisure park getting the go ahead.

But Mr Watts hit back, saying the project, initially mooted in 2002, significantly predates the Tollgate Village plans

He said: “There has a been a catalogue of issues surrounding Vineyard Gate and to put the blame squarely on Tollgate Village shows a lack of perspective of what is really happening in town centres across the country.

Gazette: Artists impression of the Tollgate Village plans

“Retail in towns has been declining for a number of years, which is why we have seen the rise of ‘serviced towns’, fulfilling the social needs for those that can’t be provided online, hence the increase in demand for coffee shops and restaurants, for example.

“Vineyard Gate was ambitious from the start in 2002, with a scheme that would effectively create almost a new town centre all on its own.

Gazette: Daniel Watts, Jayne Gee and Priti Patel who are pleased after the Government gave permission for the Tollgate Village development, on Saturday at Tollgate Barn, Tollgate West, Stanway, Colchester..

“2002 was a boom year for retail and the economy in general, so what happened? Quite simply, it couldn’t be delivered because neither the then development partner Caddick, nor Colchester Council, actually owned the land.

“[The council] could or should have started a compulsory purchase order process so it controlled the site, but didn’t. So how could this ever have been developed when the majority of the ownerships were in other hands?

“Well, without the consent of the 27 or so other freehold owners, it couldn’t.

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“I cannot understand why Mr Smith believes it is Tollgate Village’s fault his administration has not delivered the promised town centre scheme and in the process has wasted the public’s time and money on a project that has never been viable.

“I’m glad he has called time on it rather than squandering more money in to this potential white elephant, however it is a little too late.

"Perhaps, this council should concentrate its efforts on delivering a public service and looking after the existing town rather than playing Monopoly with other people’s money.”

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The Tollgate Partnership director also slammed a “fatal lack of progress” on the Vineyard Gate scheme, adding: “In 2002, the Tollgate area looked quite different: no Western Bypass, much less housing, no Smyth’s, Argos, Costa or Next and even Comet was still around.

“During this time the Vineyard Gate scheme stalled, went back to the drawing board and then did not progress.

"Then finally in 2008 the global recession hit, the world went in to free fall and Vineyard Gate stalled – again.

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“[We] have tried to use our expertise to help [the council] make something of the Vineyard Gate project.

“In August 2016, we met with officers to see whether we, as a local developer with a great track record, could help deliver Vineyard Gate, following Leeds-based Caddick’s withdrawal.

“This completely fell on deaf ears.

“Earlier this year, during the Tollgate Village appeal, the council announced that a planning performance agreement had been signed between with Sovereign Estates.

“Grand new plans were produced, but again Colchester Council had not acquired the land on which to develop the site.

“Details of the scheme, including building on top of the Roman Wall and knocking down locally listed shops, meant it would have been difficult to secure a planning consent.” During the planning appeal into the project, it heard the development would take between five and eight years to come to fruition, given the number of landowners.

Colchester Council had set aside £5 million to buy up land in Osborne Street and St Botolph’s Street.

While some properties were secured, others remain outstanding and there are no firm plans for the area.