I am writing in response to your article (Gazette, April 13) headlined: “Families fight £15m academy expansion”.

I wish to clarify that nobody sees investment in a previously hard-up school as anything, but an opportunity for regeneration of the Greenstead area.

However, for the huge investment to give both the academy and the community maximum benefit, painstakingly thorough planning is required.

Were the plans to be reconsidered, the advantage to all could be greater than under the current proposal.

There are several potential building designs and locations within the site, but the proposed ones are for a 41ft or 12.5m high structure – much higher than the local flats – to cut into the academy’s green amenity area on its boundary with Acacia Avenue, a street of delightful open planning and sustainable community character.

As such, the proposal is in conflict with Colchester’s local development framework.

Moreover, the proposal diverts delivery access on to Acacia Avenue, a street the academy’s own survey dubs “congested” due to parked cars; and, by reducing on-site parking, may worsen this situation.

Sensitive rethinking could avoid the above without detriment to other residential areas, and create space near the proposed Acacia car park for a play area that, on football match days, could double as the overflow parking the academy so badly needs.

If the proposal is carefully reconsidered, we can build an academy Colchester will be proud of. Let’s make sure we do!

Riccardo Grillo
Acacia Avenue
Greenstead