Greens set out local election manifesto in Colchester (From Gazette)

Greens set out local election manifesto in Colchester

8:00am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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JOBS with renewable energy companies and the return of a walk-in health centre to Colchester town centre are on the Green’s agenda for Colchester.

Colchester and District Green Party says it is focusing on jobs, the NHS, housing, the town centre, education and transport in its manifesto for local elections on May 6.

Policies include funding a new business incubation centre, using empty buildings in and around Colchester town centre, and appointing an officer to try to bring construction and maintenance work on wind farms off north Essex’s coast to the borough.

They would also lobby hospital chiefs to use part of the Essex County Hospital site earmarked for closure, for a new walk-in health centre.

Health bosses controversially closed a centre in Middleborough, last year, and moved it to a site in Turner Road, next to Colchester General Hospital.

Peter Lynn, the party’s candidate for Castle Ward said: “We feel strongly the suggestion to sell off the Essex County Hospital site provides a great opportunity to move the walk-in centre to that site.

“We’re trying to lobby the hospital trust to consider that as a possible course of action.

“Our vision for Colchester is of a vibrant town with a good quality of life, a thriving local economy with good employment opportunities, excellent health services, and affordable and decent housing.

“Our policies would turn this vision into a reality.”

The party say they will also attempt to convince Steve Peri, owner of the former Odeon cinema site in Crouch street, to turn it into an indoor market and craft centre.

The main points:

The Greens promise to create a “green economy” with local jobs less vulnerable to changes in the global economy

Part of Essex County Hospital would be used for a walk-in centre, after its previous Middleborough base was moved to its current home on Turner Road

A fund would be created to allow the council to convert or build houses to rent out

A right-to-rent scheme would be introduced, allowing people with mortgage problems to stay at home

Colchester High Street would become car free, but would not be pedestrianised

Former Odeon in Crouch Street to become an indoor market and craft centre.