Legal agreements which will open up development for north Colchester are still waiting to be signed, after more than two years.

The redevelopment of Severalls Hospital for housing was given planning permission, subject to legal agreements being signed, in July 2003.

Since then, the various agencies involved with the project have been meeting to try to resolve all outstanding issues on what infrastructure is needed to be provided as part of the legal agreement.

Colchester Council's cabinet will be discussing the Severalls Hospital and Cuckoo Farm at a meeting on Wednesday.

The debate will be behind closed doors due to confidential financial matters being discussed.

However, the Gazette has learnt that discussions will focus on a business which will need to move to make way for the junction. It will need to be compensated for the relocation.

A source told the Gazette: "The meeting is not a crunch point, but will bring things much closer. We are looking at ways of making the sale of land happen much more quickly."

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Published Friday, September 2, 2005

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