Plans for a major new road and up to 700 houses in north Colchester have been give the green light by a Government inspector.

A public inquiry into the northern approaches road and large scale development at Mile End was held in January by the Environment Department.

The result will be met with dismay by opponents to the development who staged an unsuccessful last-ditch effort to thwart the scheme at the inquiry.

North Thames Health Authority can now seek permission for two major planning applications, and is set to make a great financial gain from the land.

The first plan is for houses on the former Myland Hospital site and adjoining land at Mill Road.

And the second is for the northern approaches road from Turner Rise to Defoe Crescent on land between Colchester General Hospital and the Oaks Hospital.

Linked to this are houses on health authority land at Severalls Hospital and to the west of the general hospital.

The third part of the plan, for a junction with the A12 at the A134 at Great Horkesley, was scrapped before the inquiry.

An alternative new junction on to the A12, to the east of the A134 between Boxted Road and the Severalls Lane flyover, is being looked at by Colchester Council.

At the inquiry, residents claimed traffic would create intolerable levels of noise and pollution.

A Government report said: "The character of the central part of Mile End would experience considerable change, and some residents would experience an increase in noise levels.

"However, the Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector that these disadvantages are outweighed by the benefit of more widespread noise reductions and the overall improvement in air quality that the road proposals would bring."

A spokesman from North Thames Health Authority said: "We are pleased this permission has been granted. The decision is crucial both to the re-use of this land and getting the best value for it to benefit the health service."

Colchester MP Bob Russell, said: "I do not look forward to the land being developed and the houses being built, but the road is needed."

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