RESIDENTS have been invited to have their say on a major housing scheme planned for a former retail park.

Developers Persimmon Homes unveiled its draft proposals for 275 homes on the site of the redundant Cowdray Centre in Colchester.

It proposes will be a mixture of houses and apartment blocks, between three and four-storeys high.

If the scheme goes ahead, at least three cycle paths will give access to Mason Road and the main roundabout, as well as through the site and there could be a link road to Highwoods Country Park.

After seeing the plans, one Cowdray Avenue homeowner felt reassured she would not be overlooked.

She said: “I was quite encouraged knowing we’ll be looking at the flank of the house and garden rather than looking at the back of the house.

“My concern was partly traffic and access, and how the boundary line would be secured but I feel more reassured. On the plans it looks to me the development is less densely populated than the original.”

More than 400 car parking spaces have been factored into the scheme but none are designated for visitors to stop commuters from leaving their cars on the streets.

Brian Roach, 85, feared this too but is not convinced about the number of parking spaces the borough requires per household.

Gazette:

Persimmon claims the car ownership rate in this part of Colchester is 0.85, lower than the rest of the town at 1.26.

The firm hopes to implement a travel plan to encourage people to ditch their cars, something which impressed rheumatologist Dr Paul Byrne.

He said: “The hospital is the biggest generator of traffic in the northern part of the town and it hasn’t got enough parking.

“The hospital is conscious of parking and traffic flow so is trying to advocate active travel but people won’t do it unless it’s safe and pleasant.

“Turner Road is so narrow, you take your life into your hands going along there.

“What’s nice about the second scheme is the presence of the green belt behind the development, which will eventually link it with Highwoods.”

Compared with a commercial site, the residential development was described as the lesser of two evils.

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes said: “More than 100 people attended the exhibition.

“The proposals for the site will evolve having regard to the outcome of the consultation and the ongoing technical assessments.

“Persimmon Homes anticipate that a planning application will be made in early 2018.”

Anyone wanting to comment on the plans can do so by emailing cowdraycentre@jcndesign.co.uk before December 12.

  • Persimmon Homes was unable to provide images of the draft plans because they are subject to change before the planning application is submitted.