It was pleasant to read Nick Barlow's thoughts in the Gazette.

If I were him I would worry more about representing the will of the people rather than his own opinion.

When you have a situation like this, when an unprecedented number of objections are flowing into the council from residents, activists, and experts alike, it's time he started listening instead of burying his head in the sand.

Now we have an objection from the NHS on the council website.

How many more letters will it take to topple this scheme?

I hope Mr Barlow recognises these differing views are part of democracy.

I don't think any of the protesters are expecting the council to fork out millions for a grand scheme, but we are proposing we can think alternatively.

We don't need to cut services to subsidise the dreams of the few,

Indeed that is something the community can look into such as acquiring grants or even a DIY project involving grassroots community participation to revitalise the area without having to dip into millions of pounds or other public funds.

For instance, Freetown Christiana is a thriving community in the heart of Copenhagen which was built by squatters.

If they can revitalise a rundown area then why can't the hard working residents and artists of Colchester?

Give us the time to sort out a vision a proposal, allow us use of the land and we'll make something of it. Give the community a chance.

The people shall take back control of this piece of public land from the planning system by exercising their democratic right to assembly and protest.

What we've done with Community Voice Colchester is something that has, to my knowledge, never been done by our previous councillors.

We have empowered and enacted community mass action as a means to bring people together and have a voice in the planning process.

Almost like a trades union, if you like, for residents who want a voice in planning.

Victoria Weaver
Labour Party
Ipswich Road, Colchester