A draft masterplan for a complex development including a new Colchester United stadium has just been completed.

The result of years of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the masterplan outlines development of council-owned agricultural land at Cuckoo Farm and the NHS Severalls Hospital directly next to it.

The 269-acre site, straddling the A12 Northern Bypass, is set to have a housing estate, schools, a hotel, pub, and the 10,000 crowd capacity sports stadium.

The development will be linked to the completion of the Northern Approaches road with a junction at the A12.

A formal planning application will not be finalised until the public have had their say.

The scheme includes many environmental characteristics including footpaths, bus links, cyclepaths and bridleways and landscaping.

The brief will be discussed by councillors next Thursday and if they agree, it will then go out for a six-week public consultation. Exhibitions will be held in High Woods, Great Horkesley and Mile End.

Residents' views will be taken on board before a planning application is submitted in about March next year.

The long-standing scheme rested on land at Severalls Hospital being sold for housing and there were fears a deal had been delayed.

But Colchester Council's head of estates Steve Clarke today confirmed the redevelopment scheme had taken a significant leap forward.

He explained the project required a masterplan, prepared in co-operation with Government health officials and consultants, to be produced.

By Sarah Oxley

Reporter's e-mail: sarah_oxley@thisisessex.co.uk

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