RESIDENTS have raised concerns about the impact a long-awaited development will have on the north of Colchester.

Outline planning permission exists to transform the former Severalls Hospital, a target for arsonists and vandals since it closed in 1997, into 1,500 homes and community facilities.

Last year, the landowners applied for full planning permission to build 248 homes on one corner of the site, near Mill Road.

But a group of Mile End residents have met with, and written to, Colchester Council planners about their fears the proposed sewerage and drainage systems will not be able to cope with the new homes.

They say the proposed drainage system would not be able to deal with heavy rain.

One of the residents, who did not wish to be named, said the rapid rise in the number of houses being built in the north of Colchester meant the infrastructure was not there to cope.

The resident added: “You don’t put a sewer system for 250 houses in the middle of a residential area.

“The residents of High Woods have not been consulted on that matter.”

Mile End councillor Martin Goss backed the residents’ concerns.

He said: “The drains will go into existing drains that are already at capacity.

“At the moment it’s not acceptable. I fully support their concerns and I want to see this resolved.”

Colin Teare, engineering manager at Colchester Council, said any excess water would go through High Woods Country Park and end up in the River Colne, via Cowdray Avenue.

He said he was in talks with the landowners, the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the Homes and Communities Agency, to find a solution.