Campaigners are to hold a camp out protest to show the strength of opposition to the latest plans for the town’s Cultural Quarter.

Dozens of residents are expected to brave the worsening autumn conditions this evening to camp in the spot where Alumno hopes to build 330 student flats as part of its Painters Yard development.

Protestors are also organising a petition and are calling on supporters to veto voting for any councillor who has given their support to proposals.

Jean Quinn, one of the organisers of tonight’s protest, said: “The camp out is to highlight the fact the land was promised as a cultural quarter and for the use of the people of Colchester.

“There will be supporters coming along who are not camping and there is music, singing, entertainment and films.

“It is about keeping the protests in the eyes of the public.

“People can come along and support us, they do not have to commit to camping out overnight.”

So far, more than 270 people have submitted written objections to the planning application online.

The formal consultation period finishes today, however, campaigners are planning to put further political pressure on all sides.

Mrs Quinn said: “The next move will be to publish the names of the councillors on the planning committee and their email addresses so people can write to them directly.

“We are also asking our supporters who live in the constituency of someone who supports to scheme to pledge not to vote for them.

“Wherever there has been a poll or a vote on this, public opinion has been against it.

“I am told developers are doing things like this all over the country.

“They are putting up cheap accommodation, taking the money and running.

“We have one chance to get this right in Colchester. We could be left with this for a long time.

Painters Yard will regenerate the old Queen Street bus station and St James’ House.

The proposals contain student accommodation, a Travelodge hotel and commercial space.

But some of the scheme’s opponents say residents have not had enough input, and have not been given what they were promised by Colchester Council.

Claire Marsh said: “I’m protesting because the proposed plan bears no relation to the promise of a Cultural Quarter that was made to us when we lost our beloved Waiting Room.”

New documents have revealed Alumno plans to use 330 concrete and steel piles, placed up to 29 metres deep, to facilitate construction.

Campaigners say these piles will do irreversible damage to the archaeology of the area and say this could lead to Roman artifacts being reburied.

Protestors are set to gather at Painters Yard for the camp out protest from 5.30pm today.