CAMPAIGNERS calling for Colchester’s iconic Jumbo water tower to be given back to a trust have been told it is not for sale.

Planning permission to transform the structure into penthouses, flats, a restaurant and offices was narrowly rejected by seven votes to five at a Colchester Council planning meeting.

Those who opposed George Braithwaite’s designs for the Grade II* listed Victorian water tower want him to consider passing ownership to the Balkerne Tower Trust.

However, Neil Ward, Mr Braithwaite’s planning agent, said his client was not prepared to sell and saw no point in holding talks with the charity.

Brian Light, chairman of the Balkerne Tower Trust, which was set up in 1996 with the aim of turning Jumbo into a tourist attraction, wants to meet Mr Braithwaite to talk about a deal.

He said: “We would really like to meet him with English Heritage and the council, sit down and sort out an alternative future for Jumbo.

“It is extremely important to people.

“It was clear at the council meeting people have all sorts of different ideas about it, but I think everyone agrees something ought to be done.

“Nobody wants it to be left neglected and getting worse for wear.”

He was backed by Colchester MP Bob Russell, who said: “I believe the current owner’s cheapest option would be to sell it on. There would be lasting gratitude to him if he donated it to the Balkerne Tower Trust.

“His alternative is to go to appeal, which he may or may not win.

“Whatever happens, the costs of conversion are likely to be greater than the value to be gained.”

The majority of councillors said the scheme would substantially damage the character of the building if it was divided into ten floors and its supporting legs and two sides of the water tank were enclosed in glass.

However, Mr Ward said a deal was unlikely and the council should have approved the plan.

He said: “There is really no benefit to be gained. My client is not a willing seller of the tower and the trust doesn’t have the funds to purchase it and carry out the work.

“A lot of hard work and discussion and negotiation have gone into the preparation of the application.

“It was four years in gestation and there can be no alternative reaction other than to be disappointed. It would have secured the future of the building, which has been redundant for 27 years.”

The water tower dates back to 1882 and is on Essex County Council’s at risk register.

Estimates suggest the most basic repairs will cost £300,000.