Plans to create nearly 300 new student rooms at two sites off Essex University’s campus have been approved.

Colchester Council’s planning committee unanimously approved Beyond the Box Beta Ltd’s bid to add another 152 student rooms to an existing site in Avon Way, Greenstead.

Despite plans for hundreds more rooms at the former bus depot in Magdalen Street and at Alumno’s St Boltolph’s development, officers said the need for more student accommodation in Colchester was shown by Essex University’s expansion plans.

Beyond the Box’s proposals includes creating five accommodation blocks as well as a “hub”

building with upgraded communal facilities.

Once works are complete, a total of 406 students rooms, including studio flats, will be available.

Operations director Simon Talbot said the company was a “Colchester business not a speculative developer”.

He said: “It is quite an old site and the existing facilities need an upgrade.

“We are upgrading the whole site to bring what we hope will be an improvement to what is available for students in years to come.”

Greenstead councillor Tim Young spoke in support of the plans.

He said: “The developer has been in discussion with the ward

councillors over a number of aspects and we have put in some suggestions which they have taken on board.

“The hub will be a good piece of architecture and will produce facilities you do not often see in students accommodation.”

Geoffrey Osborne Ltd’s bid to build 135 student rooms on land north of Elmstead Road, Wivenhoe, was also approved by the committee.

The Essex University said the development would hinder its “ability to further grow student accommodation on campus”.

A spokesman said: “We believe living on our campus in university-owned or administered accommodation offers students many, many benefits including easy access to our facilities and services alongside 24 hour security and pastoral support.”

However, planning officers said it was not the function of the planning system to protect businesses.