When we the council agreed to start building Firstsite we had to acknowledge we would have to close the bus terminal in Queen Street to provide access.

This caused much anger among the very people who elected us. They strongly objected to closing their bus station.

The council, believing it was right to go ahead with the build, tried to explain to the public in an article printed in the Gazette with an artist's impression of the vision, that to uplift Queen Street we needed to create a future cultural attraction in the area.

This paper printed our vision showing an arrow shaped town square surrounded by small boutiques, like in Eld Lane, over which would be apartments looking down onto the activity in the square below, in which people could sit and enjoy a coffee.

Since I retired others have worked tirelessly to improve on the vision we had by including such matters as Grey Friars school to become a superb hotel.

The Castle has been greatly enhanced, making it one of the best museums in Essex, while it sits in one of the nation’s top public parks.

In Priory Street we no longer have a scruffy car park. Now there is a well laid out vehicle park which allows superb views of the Roman wall.

Keddie’s is being completely refashioned for various uses, but is still in line with the original vision.

The town is almost there on realising the vision we presented back then and which was accepted by the public.

However now they are being asked to sacrifice this town’s vision and substitute it with a money making scheme submitted by a group of speculators, supported by members of the current cabinet.

Can they possibly believe Queen Street really needs, instead of a cultural centre, three blocks of student squats, next to the Queen Street clubs and drinking area?

On a weekend a few irresponsible students can join those already in the town drinking to excess.

Some, on their route back to their rooms, are very likely to vomit along the way onto the so-called public footpath people have to walk through on their way to and from the Priory Street car park and Firstsite?

Is this to be the vision the cabinet wants for Colchester?

Barrie Cook
Booth Avenue, Colchester
Recently retired St Anne’s ward councillor (Lib Dem) and JP