CAMPAIGNERS have been warned against trespassing after cleaning up the site of Colchester's old bus station without permission.

Community Voice Colchester wants to Colchester Council's permission to temporarily turn the site of Alumno's stalled cultural quarter development into an open air community space.

The group has already completed some minor clean up works at the site, which is off Queen Street, but wants to be allowed to continue the work and make the area suitable for things like street performances in time for summer.

Ian Cropton, a spokesman for Community Voice Colchester, said: "We would very much like to continue what we’ve started.

"We have a number of gardening enthusiasts who are keen to install various potted plants and temporary flower beds.

"We have also been promised the use of a portacabin which could be used to create a temporary visitors centre for the area.

"The area could be made presentable and safe to use over the summer for street performances, and other uses, as well as being a restful area."

Alumno is still considering whether or not to appeal the planning committee's decision to reject its plans, which would have seen 336 student rooms, a hotel and retails units created at the site.

READ MORE: Planning committee unanimously rejects Cultural Quarter plans

However Mr Cropton said this did not mean the area should not be tidied up and used - with businesses like Firstsite and Curzon suffering due to the run-down condition of the area.

He said: "All utilising temporary structures could easily be removed or enhanced - depending on how Alumno decides to act.

"But the main thing is it would give Colcestrians a sense of pride in the area, and make it a pleasant site for visitors to see on their way to visit the other gems in the cultural quarter.

"It is a well used thoroughfare and the bus station site makes the whole of Colchester look bad."

READ MORE: Campaigners’ £2.5m plan for Colchester's Cultural Quarter

A spokesperson for Colchester Borough Council said it did not condone trespass by protestors "however well-intentioned those involved happened to be".

He said: “Entering the site poses a health and safety risk, which is why it continues to be regularly monitored by a security company.

"As with previous reports of trespass on the site, we will investigate this latest incident and look to take further action if necessary.”