CONCERNS were raised “little boxes for people to live in” could be built, rather than communities, during discussions over plans to build thousands more houses in Colchester.

The East of England Regional Assembly is drawing up a development blueprint, with four proposals being considered. These would see between 840 and 1,700 homes built in Colchester every year up to 2031.

At a consultation meeting, residents raised fears schools, doctors’ surgeries, transport and community facilities would not be built alongside the homes.

The RevRay Gibbs, priest in charge at Myland, pointed to problems with existing new developments in the town.

He said: “We have been let down very badly in Colchester, with no provision of community facilities. I’m worried with more houses it will get worse.

“There is a lot of talk about building lots of little boxes for people to live in, but no talk about community facilities to give them places to go and things to do.”

Mile End resident Luisa White agreed. She said: “We have not got much out of developers, despite all the talk about ‘s106 money’.

“Quality of life is very important and the boxes built as houses these days do not come with community facilities they need.

“Houses have been built with no correlation to the infrastructure and schools and healthcare are stretched to the limits.”

Colchester Council leader Anne Turrell said it was important to build “communities and not just houses”.

She said: “We cannot shove people in boxes and leave them to get on with it, because that causes social problems and anti-social behaviour.

“Developers will have to contribute, but we cannot expect them to provide everything. Councils will have to look at where and how to find money.”

David Ralph, chief executive of the Haven Gateway Partnership, a group working to promote economic development in the area, said Government investment was needed to ensure the area was “not sold a dummy”.

Four options are up for consultation

AS PART of development planning up to 2031, the East of England Regional Assembly is consulting on how many homes should be built.

Four options have been put forward, following the rejection of a Government target of building 39,000 new homes per year. These are:

  • Scenario 1, would continue existing plans with 26,060 homes built per year. 5,390 homes would be built in Essex, including 840 in Colchester and 430 in Tendring.
  • Scenario 2 would see 30,100 homes per year. 7,400 homes would be built in Essex, including 1,050 in Colchester and 510 in Tendring. Chelmsford would have an annual quota of 1,700 homes to become “a regional city”.
  • Scenario 3 would see 29,970 homes per year. Growth would be concentrated “around successful business locations, where new jobs are attracting workers”. 6,160 homes would be built in Essex, including 840 in Colchester and 650 in Tendring.
  • Scenario 4 would see 33,650 homes per year. Growth would be concentrated “where households are projected to grow”.

7,950 homes would be built in Essex, including 1,700 in Colchester and 1,200 in Tendring.

l The Consultation runs until November 24. A document setting the final target will be published next March and included in the East of England Plan, due to be finished in 2011.

For more information, visit www.eera.gov.uk