Cultural Quarter plans will cause 'unjustified harm' to Colchester

The body has joined hundreds of people calling for Colchester Council to turn down the proposals, stating it would cause “unjustified harm” to the internationally important Town Wall and nearby St Botolph’s Priory.

Sheila Stones, inspector of historic buildings and areas at Historic England, said there had been no “detailed justification” for many of the proposals.

She said: “Taken together, the remains of the Roman Town Walls and the Balkerne Gate are of international importance.

“We currently have serious concerns... as in our view the current proposals would cause unjustified harm to the significance of the Town Wall, St Botolph’s Priory and the Colchester 1 Conservation Area, including that resulting from the erosion of the settings of these designated heritage assets.”

The plans for St Botolph’s Quarter were submitted earlier this year. As well more than 300 student flats, a Travelodge hotel would also be created.

Historic England has been consulted about all plans in the area because of the surrounding historically important buildings.

Despite the criticism, the organisation said the new proposal is the “most appropriate scheme” it has seen to date.

Ms Stones added: “However, we continue to have concerns regarding several detailed design aspects of the current proposals, which would erode the setting of the Town Wall, causing harm to its significance.”

It has called on developers Alumno to justify why the height of the building is five storeys, to rethink the close proximity of the blocks to the Town Wall and said block 3 resembles “institutional buildings”.

Historic England isn’t the first to attack the plans for its impact on surrounding heritage. Protestors have called for Colchester Council to “stop the cultural slaughter” of the town centre by turning them down.

Colchester Council will have the final say on the proposals and they are expected to be before the planning committee next month.