RESIDENTS have welcomed a major leisure development and IMAX cinema after plans were made public for the first time.

Turnstone held an exhibition at Colchester Rugby Club yesterday to showcase the Northern Gateway development.

Reaction for the 18-acre site near junction 28 of the A12 were largely positive from councillors and residents.

Jane Graham, a Mile End resident, said: “I think it’s brilliant, it’s great to have lots of activities to do. I would use all of it, including the cinema, it’s nice to have all these facilities within walking distance.”

Lucy Partridge, another Mile End resident, said the range of facilities would provide a hopeful future for her children.

She said: “I think it’s exciting, it’s what Colchester has been missing.

The cinema and sports facilities will be great for when my children get older, there will be lots of things for them to do.”

Dominic Graham, ward councillor, said he had only received good feedback, adding: “It has been 100 per cent positivity from residents, it’s really quite exciting.

“There’s lots of hard work going on behind the scenes and I couldn’t be happier we are attracting big organisations.”

He believed it will enhance the town centre. Mark Playle, who also lives in Mile End, said: “We are pleased it isn’t going to be blanket housing. There will be activities for families and it’s definitely something Colchester is missing.”

Peter Richardson, of High Woods, said the development and the town centre could work together.

He said: “I think a town such as Colchester needs an out-oftown development in the way it needs a strong town centre.

“The thing is to make sure the two go together.”

Mark Potter, from Mile End, said he fully supported the idea of a cinema. He said: “The suggestion of an IMAX is good as we go to the cinema in Ipswich, so it will be good to bring money to the economy here. It will be a good focal point and I like the idea of all the leisure activities.”

Ken Stokes, also from Mile End, said the plans looked good, but he was not sure if they would actually happen.

He said: “It seems they have done a good job putting what is required into a small space.”

Chris Goldsmith, managing director of Turnstone, said: “I’m feeling pretty good about this, it still needs some refinements to make the plans sing but the concept is sound and it will bring more people into the town to see what else it has to offer.”

A second exhibition is taking place tomorrow at Firstsite’s Learning Studio in Lewis Gardens, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

If all goes to plan, it will open in spring 2018.