PLANS which could see a historic listed barn restored and 20 homes built are set to get the green light.

Regent Land and Developments put forward an application to build 20 homes at East Bay Mill, Colchester.

The development would see an 18th-century part of a former granary mill building salvaged after a fire severely damaged the integrity of the structure in 2015.

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The building was also previously a haven for rough sleepers.

Now planning officers at Colchester Council have recommended the plans, and listed building consent, are approved.

Castle ward councillor Simon Crow referred the bid to the committee amid concerns over design, parking and access.

A number of revised plans were submitted in April in response to concerns raised.

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The Colchester Civic Society criticised the design of the proposed homes.

In a comment it said: “We have studied the amended scheme and do appreciate the changes made to address some of the issues attending the original design.

“We note the efforts to improve the visual appearance of the housing by the use now of more sympathetic materials in keeping with the historic nature of the conservation area and the considerable work to reuse the Mill building itself as a modern house.

“The problem remains of the continuing use of the three storey houses which are not a reflection of the character of the area.

“The result is a large massing of repeated forms of heights and blocks.

“There has been no change to produce a mix of building heights that would be more in keeping with the landscape and the historic setting.”

But Colchester Council’s planning officers said objections over the height could not succeed as previous approved plans for the site included buildings up to four storeys.

A report, set to go before councillors, said: “Given this fact, provided it can be adequately demonstrated, the current application does not have a significant detrimental impact on the amenity of the adjacent residential properties.”