A lack of affordable housing on a planned 170-home development has been criticised by councillors.

Proposals for housing, a community building and car parking at Rowhedge Wharf have been approved by Colchester Council’s planning committee.

Council guidelines state at least 20 per cent of large developments should be affordable housing.

But there will be no affordable homes on the approved Rowhedge site.

Developer Bloor Homes argued the “extraordinarily high upfront costs” of building, including road upgrades and construction of a river wall, meant affordable housing was not viable.

East Donyland ward councillor Mike Lilley said: “We could have had affordable housing for Rowhedge.

“Families with children won’t be able to afford to buy a home there.

“Something needs to go there, but not this – things need to change.”

Bloor Homes will provide £153,000 for affordable housing in the borough as part of a Section 106 agreement with Colchester Council.

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