COLCHESTER Council planning officers have recommended the controversial Cultural Quarter scheme is approved.

A council spokesman said the committee chairman Pauline Hazell agreed the number of speakers after discussions with group spokespersons and said the rules are based on “standard arrangements” for applications which have generated a lot of objection.

Colchester’s Conservative MP Will Quince has written to Essex County Council leader David Finch requesting it does not lift the covenant on the land for the development until he has had a chance to meet. The letter states: “This is a hugely important town centre location with considerable archaeological interest.

“I am confident with Colchester Council and Essex County Council working together, alongside the new Business Improvement District, a more ambitious proposal which will benefit residents and the wider town could be explored.

“I am not asking you not to lift the covenant, just to hold off doing so until we have met and you are aware of the serious and considerable concerns about the development of the site over which Essex County Council has an interest.”

Campaigners are planning to demonstrate against the plans before the meeting which will be held at Colchester Town Hall, starting at 6pm.

Protester Alan Short said campaigners had labelled the report a “whitewash.

“We have not given up yet,” he said. “We will be there and we will make our points in other ways if needs be.

“We still hope the planning committee will refuse the application.

“We are working hard behind the scenes to get the number of speakers increased.”