A BID to transform a former business park ravaged by fire a decade ago by building 262 homes is set to get the green light.

Developer Persimmon Homes wants to build the homes on the Cowdray Centre site in Colchester.

Planning officers have now recommended the bid, which has been revised three times, is approved.

The scheme, if it wins approval, will include 20 per cent affordable housing, despite the firm saying earlier this year it would not be financially viable.

Persimmon, which made a £977 million pre-tax profit in 2017, later backtracked after Colchester Council commissioned its own analysis.

READ MORE: Developer says it 'can’t afford' to offer any affordable homes on Cowdray Centre site

READ MORE: Plans for Cowdray Centre changed for a third time

Council policy expects developers to provide a minimum of 20 per cent of affordable houses on major developments.

Part of the centre which has sat empty since it was hit by fire in 2006.

Gazette:

  • The building after the fire in 2006

A report, set to go before councillors, said: “Information provided by the landowner demonstrates that the businesses have been on short term leases since the fire in 2006 and that the existing building has deteriorated since then and is not in a satisfactory state of repair that would meet the expectations of business users.

“In any case, evidence from the landowner shows that the majority of businesses have either left the premises for new locations or are actively seeking new premises.”

The report said three businesses will need to find new homes if the plans go ahead.

A report added: “While it is acknowledged that the three remaining businesses will need to find new premises as a result of the proposed development, it is ultimately not considered justified to refuse the application on this basis.”

The planning report found the proposal would bring economic, social and ecology benefits.

The report added: “The scheme has undergone extensive revision over the course of the planning application.

“This has partly been in order to address certain constraints (such as noise from the railway line), but also in order to achieve

what would be regarded as good design in terms of creating connectivity, adequate public and private space, and appropriate scale, form and architectural detailing.”

Councillors are due to decide the plans at a meeting of the planning committee on April 25.