A major development which would radically alter north Colchester should be considered at a public inquiry, a parish council chairman said.

Peter Mecklenburgh, of Myland Parish Council, said it would petition the Secretary of State for the eastern region to call in five planning applications relating to Severalls Hospital, Cuckoo Farm and surrounding areas.

He said: "We believe that possibly the borough council has far too much interest in the application to be allowed to determine them on their own."

Colchester Council owns the Cuckoo Farm site and has put in the applications with the NHS, which owns Severalls Hospital.

The plans include the last phase of the Northern Approaches Road; homes on the hospital site; a business park on the east part of the farm and a community stadium on the west of the farm.

There is also an application to move roadside services on the north side of the A12.

Myland councillors voted unanimously to adopt a draft version of a document with their responses to the five applications, drawn up after meetings and consultation with the public.

Mr Mecklenburgh said they were not against developing the area but they object to the plans drawn up because none of the applications include an underpass to take the Northern Approaches Road under Mill Road to save the need for a junction.

He said parish councillors are also worried about the effect on businesses on Nayland Road whose vital passing trade is, they feel, threatened by plans for a bus gate there.

The closing date for submissions is January 31 after which a report to councillors is expected to start.

A spokesman for the planning department said: "There's a lot of material to look at.

"I suspect there will be further negotiations between us and the applicants so I wouldn't forsee the first application being considered for some time yet."

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001